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/ b Bound

JUL 2 0 1908

l^arbarli College Itbraru

FROM THE BBqjJBST OF

JAMES WALKER, D.D., LL.D.,

(CUss of 1814)

FORMER PRESIDENT OF HARVARD COLLEGE;

*' Preference being given to works in the Intellectual
and Moral Sciences."

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0 THE

REMAIN S

THOMAS CRANM^ft?^D. D.

• ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.

COLLBCTSD AND ARRANGED

THE REV. HENRY JENKYNS, M. A.

FELLOW OF ORIEL COLLEGE.

IN FOUR VOLUMES.
VOL. L

OXFORD,
AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.

MDCCCXXXIII.

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'l/

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GENERAL CONTENTS.

VOL. I.

Page.

Prefacb of the Editor. i.

List of Cranmer''s writings from Bale. cxxiii.

from Tanner. cxxvi.

fit)m Todd. cxxxi.

Facsimiles. cxxxiv.

Letters. 1.

VOL. II.

Collection of Extracts from the Canon Law. 1.

Substance of a Speech on the authority of the Pope, and of
General Councils. 11.

Speech in Convocation. 16.

Queries and Answers on Confirmation. 18.

Injunctions for the diocese of Hereford. 19.

Corrections of The Institution qf a Christian Man^ by
Henry VIII. 21.

Annotations on the King^s Book. 65.

Seventeen Questions and Answers on the Sacraments, &c

98.

Preface to the Bible. 104.

Speech at the Coronation of Edward VI. 118.

Notes and Authorities on Justification. 121.

Homily of Salvation. 138.

of Faith. 161.

— L — of Good Works. 164.

Queries and Answers on the Mass. 178.

Articles of Visitation for the diocese of Canterbury. 185.

Articles of Visitation for the Dean and Chapter of Can-
terbury. 196.

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GENERAL CONTENTS.

Page.
Injunctions to the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury. ^00.
Answer to the Devonshire Rebels. 202.
Notes for a Sermon against Rebellion. 245.
Sermon on Rebellion. 248.
Defence of the True and Catholic Doctrine of the Sacra-
ment, &c. 275.

VOL. III.

Answer to Rich. Smythe^s Preface. 1.

Answer to Gardyner^s Explication. 25.

Notes of Gardyner^s Errors. 555.

VOL. IV.

Declaration concerning the Mass. 1.

Disputation at Oxford with Chedsey. 4.

' ■ with Harpsfield. 67.

Condemnation, by Weston. 77.

Examination at Oxford before Brokes. 79.

Appeal to a General Council. 118.
Prayer, Exhortation, and Confession of Faith at St. Mary'^s

Church. 130.

Confutation of Unwritten Verities, 145.

Appendix. 246.

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CONTENTS OF VOL, L

PREFACE.

Objsct of the publication, p. i. Craniner's Printed Works,
ibid. His Manuscripts, p. ii. His Letters, p. iii. His Miscel-
laneous Remains, p. vi. His Book on Henry VIII.'s marriage
to Catharine of Arragon, ibid. His Opinion on the Papal Su-
premacy, p. ix, on the constitution and authority of G^eral
Councils, p. zi. His Speech in Convocation 1536, p. xii. Arti-
cles of 1 536, p, xi V. Draft of additional Articles in the Chapter
House at Westminster, p. xv. Institution of a Christian
Man, p. xrii. Annotations on the King's Book, p. xriii.
Conferences with the (German protestants in 1538, p. xx.
Thirteen Articles supposed to have been then agreed on, p.
xxiL Act of the Six Articles, p. xxv. Translations of the
Bible, p. xxvii. Cranmer's Preface to the Great Bible of
1540, p. xxviii. Commission for compiling Articles of Faith
in 1540, p. xxix. Seventeen Questions and Answers on the
Sacraments, p. xxxii. Erroneous opinions maintained in them,
p. xxxiii. Necessary Doctrine and Erudition, &c. p. xxxvii.
how fjEir approved by Cranmer, p. xxxviii. English Litany,
1544, p. xl. Farther Reformation designed by Henry VIII.
p. xli. Extent of that actually effected by him, p. xlii. Cran-
mer's Speech at Edward VI.'s Coronation, p. xlv. Notes on
Justification, p. xlvi. The Homilies, p. xlvii. their alleged in-
consistency with the Necessary Doctrine, p. xlviii. Discus-
sion respecting the Mass, p. 1. Order for the Communion in
English, p. li. Edward VI.'s First Service Book, p. Hi.
Ordination Services, p. liii. Story of Cranmer's having drawn
up a more perfect Book of Prayer, ibid. His Catechism,
p. liv. Con^tation of Unwritten Verities, p. Iv. Marquis
of Northampton's Divorce, p. Ivi. Articles of Visitation,
p. lix. Insurrections in 1549, p. Ixi. Answer to the Devon-
shire rebels, p. Ixi v. Sermon on Rebellion, p. Ixvi. Con-

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CONTENTS.

troversy on the Eucharist^ p. Ixvii. Reformers divided on
the subject^ p. Ixviii. Caution of the English Sacramenta-
ries, p. Ixix. Their persecution^ Ixx. Frith, p. Ixxi. Lam.
bert, p. Ixxiii. Barber, ibid. Cranmer's Collection of Au-
thorities on the Eucharist, ibid. His opinions probably at
one time Lutheran, p. Ixxiv. when changed, p. Ixxvi. Pub-
lication of the Defence, &c. p. Ixxxi. its plan, ibid. expo,
sition of the true doctrine, ibid, refutation of Romish errors,
Ixxxiii. Answered by Smjrthe, p. Ixxxvii. and by Gardyner,
p. Ixxxviii. Cranmer's Reply, p. xci. answered by Grardy-
ner under the name of Marcus Antonius Constantius, p. xciv.
Cranmer's preparations for a second Reply, p. xcvii. inter,
rupted by his death, ibid. Review of the controversy, p. xcix.
Plan for a General Reformed Confession of Faith, p. civ. The
Forty-Two Articles of the Church of England, p. cvi. Re-
formatio Legum, p. cviii. Accession of Queen Mary, p. cxi.
Cranme^s Declaration concerning the Mass, p. cxii. Dispu-
tations at Oxford, 1554, p. cxi v. Examination before Bishop
Brokes, 1555, p. cxvi. Appeal at his Degradation, Feb.
1566, p. cxvii. Prayer, &c. before his death, ibid. Notice of
Libraries examined for the present publication, p. cxviii.

List of Cranmer's writings from Bale. p. cxxiii.

from Tanner. p. cxxvi.

^from Todd. p. cxxxi.

Facsimiles. p. cxxxiv.

LETTERS.

I. To THE Earl op Wiltshire. Hampton Court, 13 June
[1531.] Account of Reginald Pole's book on Henry VIII.'s
matrimony — The King and Anne Boleyn gone to Windsor.

p.l.

II. To Kino Henry VIII. R^enspurgh, 4 Sept. [1532.]
Contract of merchandise between England and the Low
Countries — Subsidy to the Emperor — Preparations against
the Turk — The Emperor's proclamation concerning a G^ne-
ral Council. p. 6.

*III. To Kino Henry VIII. Villach, 20 Oct. [1532.]
Journey of Charles V. through Italy to Spain — Mutiny and
excesses of the Italian troops in Germany — General discon.

* The Letters marked by ao asterisk, are now, it is bcliered, printed for
the first time.

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tent at the conduct of the campaign against Solyman — Out-
rages committed by the boors on the Emperor's suite — Fer-
dinand unpopular — ^Appearance of a comet — The plague in
the Emperor's household — ^Variance in the accounts of the
Turkish losses — Report of Andrew Doria's successes in Oreece
— Duke William of Bavaria — Duke Dalby — ^The French am.
bassador engaged to speak to Duke Frederic concerning the
King's cause. p. 8.

♦rv. To Crumwbll. Westminster, 8 Feb. [1533.1 ^ fevour
of Newman. p. 16.

*V. To CRUMWBLii. Lambeth, 21 April. Concerning Mr.
Benet's advowson oi Bamack. p. 17*

♦VI. To THB Abbot op St. Auoustin's, Cantbbbury. Mort-
lake, 28 April. Letter of credence. p. 18.

*VIL To thb Abbot op Wbstminstbr. Mortlake, 4 May.
Recommendation of John Smythe for a yie&t'n place in the
College of St. Martin's, London. ibid.

♦VIIl. To Crumwbll. Mortlake, 6 May. Declines to allow
Crumwell to nominate a prior of St. Ghregory's, Canterbury
— The principles on which the Archbishop intended to dis-
pose of such preferments— Ambition of men of the church.

p. 19.

IX. To Kino Hbnry VIII. Lambeth, 11 April [1533.] Ap-
plication for license to try the King's cause of matrimony.

p. 21.

X. To Kino Hbnry VIU. Dunstable, 12 May [1533.] The
Lady Catharine pronounced contufnax for non-appearance.

p. 23.

XI. To Kino Hbnry VIII. Dunstaple, 17 May [1533.] The
final sentence of divorce to be given on the Friday following.

p. 24.
♦XII. To Crumwbll. Dunstaple, 17 May [1533.] Notice of
the approaching sentence of divorce — Apology for not writ-
ing before — Injunction to secresy. p. 25.

XIII. To Kino Hbnry VIII. Dunstaple, 23 May [1533.]
Announcement of the sentence of divorce — Procuracy con-
cerning the second matrimony. p. 26.

XIV. To Arohdbacon Hawkyns. Croydon, 17 June [1533.]
Proceedings in the suit between Henry VIII. and Catharine
— Coronation of Anne Boleyn — Time of her marriage —

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False reports respecting Cranmer — Examination and con.
demnation of Frith and Andrew Hewet for denying the cor-
poral presence — Ambassadors gone to France — Hawkyns' pre-
ferment doubtful — Money sent to him. p. 27.

*XV. To THE Mayor of Cambridor. Croydon, 25 June.
In favour of Humfry Stockewith. p. 33.

XVI. To THE Master op Jesus College Cambridge. Croy-
don, 26 June. With a present of venison. p. 34.

*XVII. To . Croydon, 26 June. His house overcharged

with servants — Dr. Elyston. ibid.

*XVIII. To THE Bishop op Lincoln. Croydon, 5 July. Re-
quests the Bishop of Lincoln to assist John Creke in obtain-
ing a preferment in the University of Oxford. p. 35.

*XIX. To Balthasor, the King's surgeon. Croydon, 5 July.
Letter of thanks for attention to his chaplain Witwell. ibid.

*XX. To THE Bishop op Lincoln. Croydon, 8 July. Vari-
ance between the Warden of All Souls College Oxford and a
priest, respecting a chauntry. p. 36.

*XXI. To PoTTKYNS, his Registrar. [1533.] For a collation
of a benefice. p. 37-

*XXII. To HIS Chancellor. Croydon, 8 July. Variance be-
tween Pery and Benbowe. ibid.

*XXIII. To . Application for the speedy determination

of a dispute. p. 38.

*XXIV. To . Otford, 18 July 1533. Warrant for a buck

from his park at Slyndon. ibid.

*XXV. To Kynoeston. Otford, 19 July. Concerning An-
thony Eyngeston's suit for divorce. p. 39.

*XXVI. To CERTAIN Curates. Otford, 19 July. For con-
tributions to the repairs of Mailing Church. p. 41.

*XXVII. To the Abbot op Westminster. Otford, 19
July. Application for a headman's place for John Fisher.

ibid.

*XXVIII. To HIS Chancellor. Variance of matrimony be-
tween Thomas Perry and Jane Benbow. p. 42.

♦XXIX. To Crumwbll. Otford, 19 July. Preaching li-
cense of a Prior at Bristol — Application for his servant to be
appointed Esquire Bedel at Oxford — The office at the disposal
of the King. ibid.

*XXX. To THB Prioress of St. Sbpulchrb's, Cantbrburt.

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CONTENTS.

Otford. [1533.] Summoiis to bring the Nun of Kent to
Otford. p. 43.

*XXXI. To LoBD Abbboavbnnt. Otford, 19 July. De-
sires Lord Abergavenny to maintain the privileges of his te-
nants at Mayfield. ibid.

♦XXXII. To THE Dean op the Abchbs. Otford, 21 July.
Variance of matrimony between James Bulstrode and Ed.
wardes. p. 44.

*XXXIII. To THE Dean of the Abchss. Otford, 22 July.
Appoints Perry and Benbowe, Bulstrode and Edwardes to ap-
pear before him — ^Dr. Townsend — ^Mr. Chancellor — Pottkyns.

p. 45.

•XXXIV. To Db. Bell. Otford, 22 July. Concerning the
farm of the benefice of Normanton near Southwell — Master
Basset. ibid.

*XXX V. To Db. Bell. Letter of thanks. p. 46.

*XXXVI. To Db. Clatbboke and Db. Bassbtt. Letter of
thanks. ibid.

*XXXVII. To THE Duchess of Nobfolk. Otford, 23 July
[1533.] Concerning the permutation of the benefice of Che-
vening for Curry Malet — Mr. Baschirche. p. 47-

*XXXVIII. To LoBO Abundel. Application for venison ac-
cording to a composition. p. 48.

♦XXXIX. The Duke of Norfolk to Cranmer. Greenwich, 5 Sept.
[1533.] Application for books and process relating to Henry VIII/s
divorce. ibid.

*XL. To THB Dttkb op Nobfolk. 7 Sept. [1533.] Answer

to the foregoing application. p. 49.

*XLI. To RosBLL. Otford. Respecting the education of Ro-

sell's son^ his nephew. ibid.

*XLII. To HIS Chancbllob. To admit Dr. Cave to the

Arches. ibid.

*XLIII. To THB Dban of THB Abchbb. To the same effect

p. 50.
*XLIV. To Db. Tbygonbll. Desires Trygonell to intercede

with the Lord Chancellor in behalf of Hutton. ibid.

*XL V. To Bbowoh. Otford. Summons to appear before him.

ibid.
*XLVI. To—. Otford. Second summons to appear before

him. p* 51.

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CONTENTS.

*XLVII. To John Fleming. Otford, 17 Sept. Summons to
attend him. p. 51 .

*XLVIII. To Crumwbll. Otford, 23 Sept. To hasten John
Broke's suit before the Lord Chancellor — In favour of John
Padley. ibid.

♦XLIX. To THE Parson op Chbvbning. Otford, 2 Oct. Ap-
plication for a house for his servant, the farmer of the par-
sonage, p- 52.

*L. To THE Prioress and Convent op Wilton. Concern-
ing the election of an abbess. p. 53.

*LI. To . Otford, 5 Oct. His readiness to redress griev-
ances, p. 54.

*LII. To Qresham. Otford, 6 Oct. Respecting his debts.

ibid.

*LIII. To Lord Rochpord. Otford, 6 Oct. Recommends
P. M. to be secretary to the Duke of Richmond. p. 55.

*LIV. To CoLLMAN. 7 Oct. Authority to sell wood. ibid.

♦LV. To HIS Chancellor. Nomination to the Vicarage of
Withbroke given to the Prior of Coventry. p. 56,

*LVI. To THE Curate op Sundridge. Otford. Licenses
the Curate of Sundridge to solemnize a marriage without
banns. ibid.

♦LVII. To THE Prior op Christ's Church, Canterbury.
Thanks the Prior for a present — His debts. p. 57-

♦LVIII. To R. AsTALL, parson of Chevenyng. Otford, 8 Oct.
Desires reduction of rent on behalf of his servant Abber-
forde. ibid.

*LIX. To Dr. Downes. 9 Oct. In behalf of John Thorpe,
farmer of Dr. Benet's prebend in Southwell. 58.

*LX. To A Park-keeper. 10 day. Authority to deliver wood
to Roger Herman. p. 59.

^LXI. To THE Dean op the Arches. 11 day. Refuses a
new commission in Edwardes's suit — Bedell's great business—
Trygonell substituted for him in a commission on that ac-
count, ibid.

*LXII. To Stapleton, P^irson of Byngham. Otford, 12 Oct.
Sends his nephew, Thomas Rosell, to Stapleton's school.

p. 60.

♦LXIII. To RosELL, his brother in law. 12 [Oct.] About
sending his nephew to Stapleton's school. p. 61.

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CONTENTS.

*LXIV. To Cbumwbli-. Otford, 17 Oct. Wishes to procure
Benet's advowson for Newman. p. 61.

*LXV. To THB Bishop op Herbporo. Otford, 18 Oct. Dis-
pute about tithes-— Desires the Bishop to see justice minis-
tered, p. 62.

*LXVI. To Palloravb^ Parson of St. Dunstan's in the East.
Agreement for the fruits of Pallgrave's benefice^Such mat-
ters referred to Pottkyns — ^The Archbishop's want of money.

p. 63.

*LXVII. To THB Lord Chancbllob Audblby. Otford, 24
Oct. Requests the Chancellor to interfere with Dr. Cl3riF and
others for the delivery of the records of Ely to his Vicar
General, Dr. May. p. 64.

♦LXVIII. To . Authority to agree with Chesewryght for

the fruits of the benefice of Wysbeche. p. 65.

*LXIX. To his Chancbllob. Complaint of the vicar of Mil-
ton, that he is overcharged for the King's subsidy. ibid.

*LXX. To . His inability to comply with a request in

consequence of a previous promise. p. 66.

*LXXI. To Wishes to obtain the auditorship of the

Church of Lincoln for Henry Byngham. ibid.

*LXXI1. To . Respecting the payment of the arrears of

an annuity to Jefiry Eton. p. 67*

ylLXXlII. The Earl of Essex to Cranmer. [Stansted,] 13 Oct.
Reasons for not complying with Cranmer's intercession in favour of
Stansbye. ibid.

>^^LXXIV. To THB Eabl op Essbx. Proposes that two indif- /
ferent persons should arbitrate between the Earl and Stansbye.

p. 68.
\/*LXXV. To CBBTAiN Gentlbmbn in Hbbtfobdshirb. De-
sires them to inquire into the grievances of Thomas Wigg3rn-
ton of Tring. p. 70.

*LXXVI. To THB Arohdbaoon of Cantbrbury. Asks for
the farm of the parsonage of Hayes for John Creake. p. 71 >

LXXVII. To BoNBB. Lambeth, 22 Nov. [1533.] Concerning
his appeal from the Pope to a General Council. ibid.

♦LXXVIII. To Cbumwbll. Otford, 26 Nov. Presses that
Newman may have the benefice which had been promised.

p. 72.

LXXIX. To Cbumwbll. Otford, 26 Nov. Having been in-

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fonned by Goderich that the King will lend him 1000 marks^
desires 500/. to be delivered to his secretary Thomas Berthlet.

p. 74.

*LXXX. To Lord A^kroavenny. Otford, 27 Nov. Thanks
him for offer of attendance at Canterbury — Applies for veni-
son, p. 75.

*LXXXI. To THE Abbot op Westminster. 29 Nov. De-
sires the fulfilment of his promise to make Fisher a headman.

ibid.
^*LXXXII. To Kino Henry VIII. Canterbury, 13 Dec.
[1533.] The people glad that the impostures of the Nun of
Kent were discovered — Intercedes for the Prior and Convent
of Christ Church, who were greatly dismayed — Supposes that
they will offer the K ing, as a pleasure, 300/. or 400/. — The
monastery in debt. p. 76.

♦LXXXIII. To Crumwell. Ford, 16 Dec. [1533.] Applies
for instructions as to the treatment of the Parson of Alding-
ton, Dering the monk, and Father Lawrence. p. 78.

LXXXIV. To Archdeacon Hawkyns. Lambeth, 20 Dec.
1533. Account of the feigned revelations and detection of
the Nun of Kent — New bishops — Birth of a princess — Mar-
riage of the Duke of Richmond. p. 79.

*LXXXV. To A Prior. Ford, 25 Dec Applies for a grant
of the next admission of a student to the University of Ox-
ford, p. 84.

^LXXXVI. To THE Chancellor and Dean of the Arches.
Ford, 27 Dec. Respecting matters at Calais. ibid.

♦LXXXVII. To THE Abbot op Reading. In behalf of a

y friend for the benefice of Aston. p. 85.

/*LXXXVIII. To . Concerning the will of Thomas Broune

of Bristol. ibid.

LXXXIX. To Crumwell. Otford, 5 Jan. Mr. Hethe well
calculated to defend the King's great cause, but in want of
means for his journey. p. 86.

*XC. To Crumwell. Otford, 6 Jan. [1534.] Wishes to ob-
tain a book written by the monk Dering in defence of the
revelations of the Nun of Kent. The book said by Dering
to have been burnt ; by another, to have been delivered to
Hen. Oolde. p. 88.

*XCI. To John Butler, Commissary at Calais. Otford,

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13 Jan. His Visitation at Calais — Marriage canse of Francis
Hastings. p. 89.

*XCII. To THE Rbctor of Pbtworth. Lambeth^ 8 Feb.
Applies for the renewal of the lease of the parsonage of Pet-
worth to John Bower. p. 90.

*XCni. To . Lambeth, 8 Feb. Proposes to settle a dis-

pate about tithe. p. 91.

"^XCIV. To THB Priorjbss of Stanfbld. 14 Feb. Con.
ceming the resignation of the Vicarage of Quadryng in fisi-
vonr of Nic. Roberts. ibid.

♦XCV. To THE Parson of Chbvbntno. Croydon. Desires
the Parson of Chevenyng to effect a reformation between '^j,'
John Durmeryght and his wife. p. 92. (

♦XCVI. To THE Bishop of Rochester. Applies for a fellow- ^
ship at St. John's CoU^e, Cambridge, for Master Devenyshe.

ibid.

*XCVII. To THE Warden of All Souls College^ Ox-
ford. Applies for the lease of a farm at Loys Weedon to a
friend. p. 93.

XCVIII. To THE Inhabitants of Hadleigh. Lambeth,
20 March. Exhortation to charity — In favour of Thomas
Ros their curate. p. 94.

*XCIX. To the Archbishop of York. [1534.] Desires the
Archbishop to suspend the reading of the General Sentence.

p. 96.

♦C. To . Croydon, 4 April [1534] To the same effect.

p. 97.

CI. To A Bishop. Lambeth^ 1534. Inhibition of preaching.

Instructions to be given to all who are licensed for the future.

ibid.

*CII. To the Prioress of Stanfeld. Lambeth. Thanks

the Convent for preferring N. Roberts to the Vicarage of

Quadryng. p. 99.

*CIII. To Mr. N. Roberts. Advises him to give no vexation

to the Prioress of Stanfeld. ibid.

*CIV. To the Prioress of Sheppby. That Thos. Abberforde

may have the ^Eum of the parsonage of Gillingham. p. 100.

^CV. To THE Prioress of Sheppby. Requests the Convent

. to show favour to Thos. Abberforde in his lease. ibid.

vA:VI. To Crumwbll. Croydon, 17 April [1534] That Bi-'^

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shop Fisher and Sir Thomas More might be sworn to the
Act of Succession, without the preamble. p. 101.

*CVII. To Crumwbll. Croydon, 26 April. In favour of Ro-

I bert Markeham. p. 103.

^♦CVIII. To Crumwbll. Croydon^ 28 April. Furthers an ex-
change of lands between Henry Hatfilde and the prebendaries
at Southwell. An end would thus be put to unquietness
which had continued for an hundred years, and had caused
much manslaughter — Mr. Roodd ready to conform himself to
the King's contentation. ibid.

*CIX. To . In favour of John Hutton. p. 105.

*CX. To . In favour of a friend. ibid.

♦CXI. To . That an Enchiridion should be restored to

Richard S., or cause shown for withholding it. ibid.

*CXII. To THE Vicar op Charyng. Intercedes for W. S.
prosecuted for defamation, and now repentant. p. 106.

CXIII. To Dr. Cocks, his Chancellor. Recommends a cha-
ritable end to a tithe suit. p. 107-

♦CXIV. To . 1 May [1534.] About tithes in Romney

Marsh. ibid.

*CXV. To A Preacher at Paul's Cross. Croydon, 6 May.
Reproof for changing the day for preaching. p. ] 08.

♦CXVI. To Crumwbll. Croydon, 7 May [1534.] In favour
of Edward Mowll, late chaplain to Dr. Benet. ibid.

*CXVII. To . Thomas Donkester of Newesham a fit per-
son to be abbot. p. 109.

♦CXVIII. To THE Convent op Newesham. Lambeth, 18 May.

I Recommends Thomas Donkester for their abbot. p. 111.

vAcXIX. To . Requests that Thomas Mounteforde, priest,

committed to the Fleet for words spoken against him, might
be discharged — Inquires how those who cannot write are to
subscribe the oath of succession — Other questions about the
oath. ibid.

CXX. To Archdeacon Thirlby. Croydon, 24 May. A bil-
let received from the King — Thirlby's negligence in not as-
certaining the King's pleasure concerning some alterations in
it — The billet sent back on that account — Thirlby ought to
have consulted Drs. Shaxton and Buttes — The parchment
copy of the articles sent to Crumwell — The Cambridge bill
of preachers at Paul's Cross lost. p. 113.

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CONTENTS.

"^CXXI. To Bakbb, Recorder of London. Croydon> 25 May.

In behalf of Mrs. Pachette. p. 1 15.

^CXXII. To THB DucHBSs OF NoRFOLK. Requests her to

promote the suit of Thomas Cade to the King for an office at

Calais. p. 116.

*CXXIII. To Cbumwbll. Croydon, 3 June. His visitation

at Rochester — Thanks Crumwell in behalf of James Barnard.

p. 117.

♦CXXIV. To Crumitbll. Croydon, 6 June. That the Master
of his mint at Canterbury might not be prevented by the
Provost of the King's mint in the Tower from having work-
men from thence. ibid.

*CXXV. To Crumwbll. Croydon, 7 June. Thanks Crum-
well in behalf of Molyneux. p. 119.

*CXXVI. To Crumwbll. Croydon, 7 June. That Friar
Oliver might be removed from being Prior of the Black Fri-
ars at Cambridge, and Hilsey, or some other worshipful man,
placed there in his room — Oliver a defender of the Pope's
authority. ibid.

♦CXXVII. To Crumwbll. Otford, 10 June. Suggests that
the King should send the Elector Palatine a present of grey-
hounds, p. 120.

CXXVni. To Latymbb. [1534.] Directs Latymer to give
the necessary injunctions to those who were licensed at his
request to preach within the province o£ Canterbury, p. 121 .

*CXXIX. To Crumwbll. Knoll, 26 Dec In behalf of John
Brice, who had incurred Crumwell's displeasure. p. 122.

CXXX. To Latymbr. Summons him to preadi before the
King in Lent. Gives hints for his discharge of the duty.

p. 123.

CXXXI. To THB Dban op THB Chapbl Rotal. Otford.
Notice of Latymer's being appointed to preach — Desires that
Shaxton may preach before the King on the 3d Sunday in
Lent. p. 125.

*CXXXII. To Crumwbll. KnoU, 15 Jan. That Nevell,
by Crumwell's favourable letters, might be restored to his
office in Wilton Abbey. p. 126.

*CXXXnL To Crumwbll. Knoll, 22 Jan. Applies for the
King's letters in favour of two chaplains who were to be sent
to Calais. ibid.

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*CXXX1V. To . In favour of the Prior of the Charter

House in the Isle of Axholme. p. 127.

*CXXXV. To . In behalf of Jackson, whose goods were

distrained for rent. ibid.

*CXXXVI. To . That Jackson may have a new lease.

p. 128.

♦CXXXVIl. To A Prior. Letter of introduction for Thomas
Hogeson. ibid.

*CXXXVII1. To . In favour of Tho. H., his servant.

p. 129.

CXXXIX. To . Feb. [1535.] Order to a parish priest

for enforcing the due performance of penance. ibid.

*CXL. To Crumwbll. Knoll, 1 March. Requests Crumwell
to take back Thomas Barthelet into his service. p. 130.

*CXLI. To Crumwell. Knoll, 14 March [1535.] Reports
an information against Dr. Benger for affirming the authority
of the Bishop of Rome — The King's subsidy — Valuation of
the tenths and first-fruits. ibid.

♦CXLII. To . In favour of Mrs. Creke— Mr. Rix ap-
pointed chaplain to Lord Wiltshire. p. 132.

*CXLIII. To Mr. Rix. Notice to meet Lord Wiltshire at
Maidstone. p. 133.

*CXLIV. To Crumwell. Otford, 6 April. Desires Crumwell
to suspend his judgment concerning Jesus College, Cambridge
— Intends shortly to do his duty to the King and Queen, ibid.

*CXLV. To Crumwell. Otford, 30 April [1535.] Inter-
cedes for Webster, Prior of Axholme, and Raynold, a monk
of Syon, convicted of high treason. p. 134.

♦CXLVI. To Crumwell. Otford, 6 May. In favour of the
bearer. p. 135.

CXLVIL To Crumwell. Otford, 12 May [1535.] Defends,
against Gardyner, the title " Totius Anglise Primas," and his
Visitation of the diocese of Winchester. ibid.

*CXLVIII. To Crumwell. Otford, 25 May [1535.] En-
closes intelligence for the King — Sir John, the parish priest
of Wytesham, in prison. p. 139.

♦CXLIX. To Crumwell. Otford, 27 May. In favour of
Mr. Roode, having a suit in Chancery. p. 140.

^CL. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 4 June [1535.] Acknow-
ledges the receipt of the King's letter touching the dedara-

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CONTENTS.

tion of his supremacy — Intends to satisfy the King's ocnn.
mandment — Applies for the resolution of some doubts re-

» specting parts of the King's letter. p. 140.

yAciA. To Crumwbll. Lambeth^ 7 June. Sends a priest who

had called for vengeance on the King, and a woman who had

called for vengeance on the Queen. p. 141.

*CLII. To Cbumwell. Otford, 30 June [1535.] His serv.
ant> James Arnold^ candidate for the swordbearership of
London. p. 142.

*CLIII. To Crumwbll. Lambeth, 12 July. Newman taken

yinto Crumwell's service. p. 143.

^JK^UV. To Cbumwell. Otford, 15 Aug. [1535.] Sends two

letters concerning treason — Reconmiends Holbech for the

Priory of Worcester. ibid.

CLV. To Cbumwell. Otford, 8 Oct. Learned curates much
wanted at Calais — ^Wishes Crumwell to move the King to
give the benefices there to fit men — Recommends Ghtrret for
St. Peter's^ near Calais — Intercedes for the bearer, Henry
Tumey — Requests Crumwell to second his application to the
Queen. p. 144.

*CLV1. To Crumwbll. Wyngham, 12 Oct. The bearer
complained of by some, much lauded by others — Cranmer
inclined to think well of him — ^Wishes Crumwell not to with,
draw his flavour. p. 146.

*CLVII. To Cbumwell. Ford, 17 Oct. [1535.] Claims lands
lately held by the Priory of Davyngton. p. 147.

*CLV1II. To Cbumwell. Ford, 26 Oct. That Dr. Thomidon
may be continued in the office of Warden of the manors of
Christ Church, Canterbury ; and that the Cellerar^ being cor.
pulent, might have some liberty. p. 148.

*CLIX. To Cbumwell. Dover, 27 Oct. In behalf of Henry
Tumey. p. 149.

♦CLX. To Cbumwell. Ford, 2 Nov. [1635. J Concerning his
claim to lands and tithes lately held by the Priory of Daving-
ton — Relates his proceedings for the maintenance of the
King's supremacy — Had drawn up articles on that point for
the guidance of the clergy, and certain doubts to be moved in
the Council — Hutton — Petre. p. 150.

♦CLXI. To Cbumwell. Ford, 3 Nov. In favour of Sir John
Markeham and Sir William Merynge. p. 153.

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CONTENTS.

♦CLXIl. To Cbumwbll. Canterbury, 18 Nov. [1535.] Applies
for an interpretation of one of Crum well's Injunctions, p. 155.

♦CLXIII. To Crumwell. Ford, 22 Nov. Sends his chaplain
Champion, whom he trusted as himself, to receive a confiden-
tial communication. p. 157-

♦CLXIV. To Crumwell. KnoU, 18 Jan. [1536.] Thanks
Crumwell for the preferment of Dr. Mallet to the Mastership
of Michel House, Cambridge — The King's visitation of the
University. p. 158.

^CLXV. To King Henry VIII. Knoll, 18 Jan. Libel on
the King by Thomas Baschurche — Baschurche a predestina-
rian, believing himself created to damnation. p. 159.

*CLXVI. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 25 March [1536.] That
his brother-in-law might have the farm of some suppressed re-
ligious house — In favour of Francis Basset. p. 161.

*CLXVn. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 29 March. Letter of
credence for Champion. p. 162.

*CLXVIII. To Crumwell. Knoll, 22 April. Reminds Crum-
well of the situation of Smyth of the Exchequer — Is in a
heat with the cause of religion — Wishes to break his mind on
the subject to Crumwell. ibid.

' CLXIX. To Kino Henry VIII. Lambeth, 3 May, [1536.]
Intercedes for Queen Anne Boleyn. p. 163.

CLXX. To Crumwell. Aldington, 9 Aug. In behalf of Ham-
bleton, a Scotchman, driven from his country for favouring
God's word. p. 166.

- CLXXI. To Kino Henry VIII. Ford, 26 Aug. [1536.] Re-
ports his sermons on the King's supremacy — The Prior of the
Black Friars at Canterbury had preached against him — The
contradictory statements of the Prior — Cranmer requests that
provision may be made for hearing the case — Returns thanks
for a stag. p. 167*

CLXXII. To Crumwell. Ford, 7 Sept. Answers Crumwell's
application that Massey may have dispensation to marry his
late wife's niece — Refuses it on the ground of its being con-
trary to the law of God — The Act of Parliament on the sub-
ject not so clear as could be wished. p. 172.

♦CLXXIll. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 5 Oct. Divers friars'
bouses suppressed — ^Applies for that of the Grey Friars at
Canterbury for Thomas Cobham. p. 174.

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CONTENTS.

CLXXIV. To Kino Hbnby VIII. KnoU, 18 Nov. [1636.]
News from Italy — ^Assembly of prelates — R^;inald Pole much
ftivoured by the Pope — Notice of a Oeneral Council sent
through Christendom — Friar Denis — Emperor at G^oa —
Hopes of peace — Rebels in England. p. 175.

♦CLXXV. To Crumwbll. Ford, 4 Jan. Requests Crumwell
to promote James Arnold's appointment to the sword bearer,
ship of London. p. 178.

♦CLXXVI. To Crumwell. Ford, 16 Jan. Sends by R.
Nevell a fee of twenty pounds. p. 179.

•CLXXVII. To Crumwell. Ford, 28 Jan. [1637.] Miscon-
duct of Hugh Payne, late curate of Hadley — Informations
against certain monks of Christ Church, Canterbury — ^Letter
from Tumey a£ Calais. p. 180.

CLXXVIU. To Crumwell. Ford, 16 Feb. [1637-] Con.
ceming the monks of Christ Church — ^The King's Injunctions
not observed in the monastery — The Sub.cellerar Rob. An.
thony gone his ways for fear of examination — Matters at
Calais. p. 182.

*CLXXIX. To Crumwell. Ford, 28 Feb. That Mr. Ham-
bleton may have somewhat to live on in England. p. 184.

^CLXXX. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 13 Muxh. Concerning
plate, wherein should be profit to the King. ibid.

♦CLXXXI. To Crumwell. Croydon, 31 March. That Lord
Cobham might be put in the commission for Rochester.

p. 186.

♦CLXXXU. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 26 May. That Gun-
thorpe, who had been molested by Dale in the diocese of
Norwich, might have the King's license to preach within the
realm — ^None that be of right judgment approved to preach
by the Bishop of Norwich — Recommends the grant of King's
licenses to supply the defect. ibid.

♦CLXXXIII. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 20 July. That
Henry Stoketh might have a lease of, or be allowed to pur-
chase the demesne lands of the Charter House in the Isle
of Axholme. p. 187-

♦CLXXXIV. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 21 July [16370 The

Institution of a Christian Man nearly finished — ^Applies for

leave to quit Lambeth on account of the plague, and for a

license from Crumwell to visit his diocese — His exchange

VOL. I. * a

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CONTENTS.

mth the King^ and his debts — Treatment of otfenders against
the King's Injunctions — The Vicar of Croydon. p. 187.

♦CLXXXV. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 22 July [1537.] That
rewards for their books might be sent to Capito and Seb.
Munster by Tybbold. p. 191.

*CLXXXVI. To Wolfgang Capito, [1537.1 Capito's book,
with some exceptions, approved by the King — ^its merit ac-
knowledged by a present of 100 crowns — The power and zeal
of Crumwell — How the King formed his judgment of books
— Cranmer's esteem for Capito— Apology for the smallness of
his gift— Thomas Tybald. p. 192.

^>c4iXXXVII. To Joachim Vadian. Acknowledges the receipt
of Vadian's work on the Eucharist — Disapproves of its attack
on the Real Presence — Laments that (Ecolampadius and
Zuinglius had trodden down the wheat with the tares — The au-
thority of the Fathers decidedly in favour of the Real Presence
— ^Deprecates the revival of so bloody a controversy, p. 193.

CLXXXVIII. To Crumwell. Ford, 4 Aug. [1537-] Sends
a new translation of the Bible — Desires Crumwell to procure
the King's license for its being sold and read. p. 196.

♦CLXXXIX. To Crumwell. Canterbury, 5 Aug. The in-
duction of a person to St. Quintunes, stayed. p. 197-

*CXC. To Crumwell. Ford, 8 Aug. In favour of Sir Ed-
ward Ryngsley. p. 198.
^ CXCI. To Crumwell. Ford, 13 Aug. [1537.] Thanks Crum-
well for obtaining the King's authority for the publication of

/^the Bible in English. p. 199.

XCII. To Crumwell. Ford, 28 Aug. [1537.] Repeats his
thanks for Crumwell's diligence in procuring the Bible to be
set forth by the King's authority — Gives an account of his
Visitation — The abrogated holydays still kept — A bad ex-
ample therein set by the Court — In behalf of Wm. Gronnow.

ibid.
♦CXCIIL To Crumwell. Ford, 31 Aug. [1537.] His debts
to the King — Entrusts the management of the exchanges at
Maidstone and Otford to Crumwell — Is ready to prove his
charges against the prior of the Black Friars at Canterbury
-^Recommends Ant. Nevell to be Custos Rotulor. of Notting-
hamshire— Commissions for the subsidy — Withdrawal of
the Process against Mr. Chamberlain. p. 203.

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CONTENTvS.

CXCIV. To PoTKYN HIS Rboistrar. Ford, 16 Sept. DirecU
Potkyn to publish the Act of Convocation for the abolishing
of certain holydays. p. 204.

♦CXCV. To Crumwbll. Ford, 20 Sept. Thanks Cmmwell
for his favoor to Thomas Wakefeld — ^Wishes him to be
instituted to the parsonage of St. Quintyne of Spellacke.
p. 205.

♦CXCVI. To A JusTicB. Ford, 2 Oct. 1537- Remonstrates
with him for opposing the word of God — Warns him that ei-
ther the prescribed ordinances must be obeyed, or complaint
made to the King — The Institution misreported, and the men
of the New Learning slandered by the Justice's servants —
The people deterred by his threats from reading the Bible —
His servants liable to a prosecution for heresy — Cranmer
trusts that they will be better ordered in future. p. 206.

CXCVII. A Justice to Cranmer. Sandwich, 3 Oct. 1537. Pro-
fesses his love to God and His word — Does not fear complaint to the
King — Accuses the Archbishop of hearing the tongues of false liars
— ^Repels indignantly the charge of being a papist — Will use his
Majesty's authority notwithstanding the Archbishop's spies — Spoke
openly of The Institution at Sessions, and will abide by his own
words, and let his servants answer for theirs — Did not need to be
reminded of the King's benefits — Approves of The Jfu/tVti^ion, which
requires no expositor — Desires the Archbishop to convent his serv-
ants for heresy, if there is sufficient cause. p. 211.

xXcXCVIII. To A Justice. Oct. 1537- Replies to the pre-
ceding letter — Complains that his friendly admonition was
misunderstood — The communication hitherto private, but if
not so taken, must be remitted to the King and his Council.

p. 214.

^CXCIX. A Justice to Cranmer. Rainham, [7 Oct. 1537.] An
Answer to the foregoing — Has done his duty, and fears not the com-
plaints of Cranmer or of any other. p. '219.

*CC. To Crumwbll. Ford, 9 Oct. Hethe the bearer of news
from Germany — That Wm. Gronno may be restored to his
place at Calais. p- 222.

*CC1. To Crumwbll. Lambeth, 11 Nov. That Towker
may have a patent of the office of physician to Christ Church,
Canterbury. p. 223.

♦CCIL To Crumwbll. Lambeth, 4 Dec. Requests an order

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from the Council for the view of the pix belonging to the

mint at Canterbury. p. 223.

*CCI1I. To Crumwbll. Lambeth^ 6 Dec. Desires Crumwell

to promote the suit of Sir John Markham to the King.

p. 224.
CCIV. To Crumwell. Ford, 14 Jan. [1538.] Concerning
the King's Corrections of The Institution, and the late Duke
of Richmond's marriage. p. 225.

-*CCV. To Crumwell. Ford, 25 Jan. [1538.] Sends his
Annotations on the King's Corrections of The Institution —
Reports the punishment of seditious persons — Gives a farther
opinion on the Duke of Richmond's marriage. p. 227*

*CCVI. To Crumwell. Ford, 28 Jan. In favour of John
Culpeper, gentleman waiter to the King. p. 230.

-- ♦CCVII. To Crumwell. Ford, 29 Jan. Reports the punish-
ment of seditious persons — Praises Sir Edward Ryngisley.

ibid.
*CCVIII. To Crumwell. Ford, 7 Feb. [1538.] That John
Oylderde might be instituted to the benefice of Sutton
I Magna, Essex, in preference to Hugh Payne. p. 231.

^CCIX. To Crumwell. Ford, 28 Feb. That John Wake-
felde, who had suffered for his fidelity to the King in Lord
Darcy's rebellion, might have the farm of the priory of Pom-
fret, p. 233.
*CCX. To Crumwbll. Ford, 7 March. That the Prior of
the Charter House in the Isle of Axholme might not be de-
posed, there being hope of his resignation. p. 235.
*CCXI. To Crumwell. Ford, 14 March. Desires Crumwell
to correct Wm. Bridges, who had carried off a woman horn
sequestration, and married her without banns, license, or dis-
pensation, p. 236.
♦CCXII. To Crumwbll. Canterbury, 16 March. That Wm.
Chevenay, parson of Kingston, might have license for non-
residence, p. 237.
♦CCXIII. To Crumwbll. Canterbury, I7 March. That
Rich. Thomden might be preferred to Wm. Sandwych for the
Prior's office in Christ Church, Canterbury. p. 238.
♦CCXIV. To Crumwbll. Lambeth, 6 April [1538.] Con-
cerning Friar Forest. p. 239.
♦CCXV. To Crumwbll. Croydon, 8 April. Concerning a dis-

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pute between Francis Baaaett and the Earl of Shrewit-
bury. p. 240.

CCXVI. To Cbumwbll. Croydon^ 11 ApriL Malet occu-
pied in the affiEurs of the Church Service— Much pity that his
means are smalL p. 241 .

*CCXVII. To Cbumwbll. Lambeth, 29 April. In behalf of
£eivourer8 of the New Learning at Smarden and Pluckeley,
who had been indicted for unlawful assemblies. p. 242.

♦CCXVIII. To Cbumwbll. Lambeth, 1 May. That Thomas
Lawney might be preferred to the Vicarage of Roydon,
Essex. p. 243.

^CCXIX. To Cbumwbll. Lambeth, 2 May. In favour of a
kinsman. p. 244.

*CCXX. To Cbumwbll. Croydon, 29 May. Requests Crum.
well to interfere in behalf of John Tamworth, who was kept
out of an inheritance in Lincolnshire. ibid.

*CCXX1. To Cbumwbll. Lambeth, 5 June. Recommends
John Robynson to Crumwell's service. p. 246.

♦CCXXII. To Cbumwbll. Croydon, 12 June. The Pope's
name not erased from a mass book at Croydon. p. 247.

*CCXXIII. To Cbumwbll. Croydon, 13 June. Represents
that he is not provided for receiving Ambassadors at Lam-
beth, p. 248.

CCXXIV. To Cbumwbll. Lambeth, 22 June [1538.] Re-
quest of the Duke of Saxony's Chancellor that the penance of
Atkynson, a sacramentary, might be altered — The Archbishop
and Bishop of Chichester being merely commissaries appointed
by Crumwell, could not accede without his authority — Sir
Edward Ryngelay. p. 249.

♦CCXXV. To Cbumwbll. Lambeth, 24 July [1638.] That
his Commissary at Calais may have authority from Crum-
well tP take away images — In fSavour of Adam Damplip.

p. 250.

♦CCXXVl. To Cbumwbll. Lambeth, 11 Aug. [1538.] Rob.
Antony returned from abroad, and readmitted to Christ
Church, Canterbury. That Nevell might continue in his farm
of Boughton. p. 253.

♦CCXXVII. To Cbumwbll. Lambeth, 3 Aug. In favour of
Wm. Swerder— -of Mr. and Mrs. Statham~-of Hutton and
his wife. p. 250.

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fCCXXVIII. To Crumwbll. Lambeth, 15 Aug. [1538.]

• Intends to examine Robert Antony respecting his journey to
Rome — Adam Damplip had admitted the real presence, but

, denied transubstantiation — Had withdrawn himself from fear
of the law — The Archbishop proposes to send two chap-
lains to Calais — Desires authority to prevent a prior, who
hindered the word of God, from returning thither — In favour
of Hutton. p. 257.

♦CCXXIX. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 18 Aug. [1538.] Re-
specting the Prior from Calais, and Crumwell's letters to the
Lord Deputy — Hutton. p. 259.

CCXXX. To Crumwbll. Lambeth, 18 Aug. [1538.] Orators
of Germany unwilling to stay longer in England — Had con-
sented to delay their departure for a month — Cranmer's sus-
picion that the blood of St. Thomas at Canterbury was red
ochre. p. 260.

CCXXXI. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 23 Aug. [1538.] The
English bishops unwilling to come to terms with the Orators
of Germany — The Orators badly lodged — The Abbeys of
Tudberye, Rocester, Crokesdon — Francis Basset. p. 263.

♦CCXXXII. To Crumwbll. Lambeth, 25 Aug. That the
bearer, though he intended to renounce his priesthood, might
continue in the office of schoolmaster at Ludlow. p. 265.

♦CCXXXIII. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 28 Aug. For the
preferment of Dr. Barons to the Deanery of Tamworth Col-
lie, p. 266.

♦CCXXXIV. ToCRUMWELL.Lambeth,20ct.That Mr. Vaughan
might be instructed to send home Mrs. Hutton. p. 267.

♦CCXXXV. To Crumwell. Inbehalfof Mrs. Hutton. p. 268.

♦CCXXXVI. To Crumwbll. Lambeth, 8 Oct. Encloses
complaints from a scholar of Oxford — In favour of Mr. Bull.

ibid.

♦CCXXXVII. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 10 Oct. Thanks
Crumwell for the preferment of Markham to the farm of
the priory of Newsted — Two Obser^'ants had confessed high
treason. p. 272.

♦CCXXX Vni. To Crumwbll. Lambeth, 23 Oct. Recom-
mends Nicholas Bacon for the townclerkship of Calais.

p. 273.

♦CCXXXIX. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 14 Nov. [1538.] For

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the preferment of Dr. Champion to the Benefice of Shepton
Mallet^ Somersetshire^ in the place of Crofts^ attainted of
treason. p. 274.

*CCXL. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 19 Nov. Begs to be re-
leased from the King's order to be at two sundry places
about one time. p. 275.

*CCXLI. To Cbumwell. Lambeth. 21 Nov. That Dr. Bar.
bar may be preferred to a Prebend in the King's College at
Oxford, on the resignation of Dr. Cave. ibid.

♦CCXLII. To Cbumwbll. Lambeth, 28 Nov. In behalf of
Henry Cortbeke, a Dutch priest. p. 276.

*CCXUII. To Crumwbll. Ford, 14 Dec. [1538.] Crumwell
appointed High Steward of the Archbishop's franchises, and
Master of the game— Francis Basset. p. 277-

♦CCXLIV. To Crumwbll. Ford, 11 Jan. 1539. Reports
the naughty communication of Henry Totehill — Had com-
mitted two priests for breaking the King's Injunctions — Sir
Edw. Ringeley. p. 278.

CCXLV. To Cbumwrll. Ford, 21 Jan. Concerning Crum-
well's patents for the Stewardship of the liberties and Master-
ship o£ the game — L^al difficulties respecting them — Piti-
able situation of the young Lord of Abergavenny and of Sir
Edw. Nevell's son. p. 280.

♦CCXLVI. To Cbumwell. Ford, 31 Jan. Concerning a
sermon to be preached by Dr. Cronkhome. p. 281.

♦CCXLVII. To Cbumwell. Canterbury, 6 April. Concern-
ing the wardship of Thomas Wyate's son. p. 282.

♦CCXLVIII. To LoBD Lisle. Croydon, 13 July [1539.]
Promises Lord Lisle to provide him, if possible, with a dis-
creet parish priest, and a learned commissary — ^Directs that
no one should preach out of his own cure without authority
from the King or himself — That the Bible should not be
read so as to interrupt the service— That if doubts arise, re-
sort should be had to lawful preachers — Concerning Ralph
Hare, and Broke. p. 283.

CCXLIX. To Cbumwbll. Croydon, 21 July. Returns a

Primer, corrected. p. 285.

^*CCL. To Cbumwbll. Croydon, 30 July [1539.] Concerning

a priest and a woman. p. 286.

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*CCLI. ToCbumwbll. Ford, 10 Sept. Regrets that lie cannot
appoint Dr. Petre to succeed Dr. Wotton, as Master of the
Faculties^ having promised the office to Dr. Nevynson. p. 287*

♦CCLII. To Crumwbll. Croydon, 7 Oct. Henry Corbett
the Dutch priest in despair o£ a living. p. 288.

CCLllI. To Crumwell. Lambeth, 14 Nov. Respecting the
price of the Great Bible, and an exclusive license for the
printers — Wishes to know whether his Preface was approved
by the King. p. 289.

f CCLIV. To Crumwell. Croydon, 29 Nov. [1539.] On the
new foundation at Canterbury — Objections to Prebendaries —
Students may be substituted with advantage — Recommenda-
tion of Dr. Crome to be Dean. p. 291.

*CCLV. To Crumwell. Ford, 28 Dec. [1539.] Requests
Crumwell to show favour to Edward Askew^ preferred to be
one of the new spears. p. 295.

CCLVI. To Crumwell. Canterbury, 29 Dec. [1539.] Con-
cerning the reception of Anne of Cleves at Canterbury.

p. 296.

«CCLVn. To Crumwell. Ford, 20 Jan. Sends Crumwell

20/. for his half year's fee — Concerning a compensation to

Nevell for Houghton. p. 298.

- CCLVIII. To King Henry VIII. 14 June, 1540. Intercedes

for Crumwell. ibid.

CCLIX. To Wriothesley. Lambeth, 21 Sept. 1540. Sends
a Letter from Dantiscus, animadverting on proceedings in
England — ^Inquires whether or not it is the King's pleasure
that it should be answered. p. 299.

CCLX. To OsiANDER. Lambeth, 27 Dec. Complains of abuses
of marriage among the Germans — Such irr^ularities not jus-
tified by examples from the Old Testament. p. 303.
. CCLXI. To Kino Henry VIII. [Nov. 1541.] Describes his
interview with Queen Catharine Howard — Her disturbed
state of mind — Her precontract with Derame. p. 307-

CCLXIl. To Kino Henry VIII. Lambeth, 13 Dec. [1541.]
Encloses a letter from Olisl^er in favour of Anne of Cleves —
Reports an overture horn the Duke's Ambassador for a re-
conciliation— Applies for instructions. p. 311.

^CCLXIU. To Lord Cobham. Bekisbome, 18 ApriL Con.

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CONTENTS.

oeming a suit between John Holland and Wm. Porter —
Thanks Lord Cobham for wine— Lady Baynton — Cobham
Collie and Hall. p. 313.

CCLXIV. To Kino Hbnby VIII. 7 Oct. Sends the King
Prayers of Procession in English for festival days— Describes
the kind of music fit for them. p. 315.

CCLXV. To Prinob Edwabd. Encourages Prince Edward
to persevere in his studies. p. 316.

CCLXVI. To King Hbnby VIII. Bekisboume, 24 Jan. 1646.
Concerning the reform of the ecclesiastical laws — the aboli-
tion of some superstitious practices— -and the alienation of
church lands. Minute of a letter to be written by the King.

p. 317.

CCLXVII. To THB Chaptbb of Cantbrbubt. Croydon^
12 Dec. 1546. Interprets a doubtful statute. p. 322.

CCLXVIII. To Bonbb. Otelands, 18 Dec. 1547. Gives di-
rections for a Sermon^ a Procession in English^ and Te Deum^
at St. Paul's, for the victory of Pinkey. p. 323.

CCLXIX. To BoNBB. Lambeth, 27 Jan. 1548. Directs the
bearing of candles on Candlemas day, and the use of ashes
and palms to be discontinued. p. 324

*CCLXX. To Matthbw Pabkbb. Lambeth, 5 May [154a]
Gives Parker notice of his appointment to preach at Paul's
Cross. p. 325.

CCLXXI. To Kino Edwabd VI. 1548. Letter of Dedica-
tion prefixed to the translation of Justus Jonas's Catechism.

p. 326.

CCLXXII. To John a Lasco. London, 4 July, 1548. Invites
John a Lasco to come to England, and if possible to bring
Melancthon, to assist in drawing up a Formulary of Faith.

p. 329.

*CCLXXIII. To Axbbbt Habdbnbbbo. Cambridge, 28 July,
1548. Requests Hardenberg to persuade Melancthon to
come to England. p. 331.

CCLXXIV. To Mabtin Buobb. London, 2 Oct 154a Invites
Bucer to England. p. 335.

*CCLXXV. To Matthbw Pabkbb. Lambeth, 17 Feb. 1549.
Gives Parker notice to preach before the King in Lent.

p. 336.

*CCLXXVI. To Mblanothon. London, 10 Feb. 1549. Invites
VOL.1. **a

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CONTENTS.

Melancthon to England — The Germans desirous that he
should be accompanied by Hardenberg. p. 337*

♦CCLXXVII. To Martin BucBR. Lambeth, 30 Nov. [1549.]
Letter of condolence on the death of Fagius — Sends money
to his widow. p. 338.

CCLXXVIIL To VoYSBY, Bishop op Exbter. Lambeth,
20 April, 1550. Requires a return of impropriated Benefices.

p. 340.

CCLXXIX. To Martin Bucbr. Lambeth, 2 Dec. 1550.
Asks two Questions on the use of the habits. p. 341.

CCLXXX. To Matt. Parker. Lambeth, 12 Feb. 1551.
Gives Parker notice to preach before the King in Lent.

p. 342.

*CCLXXXI. To Cecil. Croydon, 23 Aug. 1552. That Co-
verdale might be enabled to depart to his diocese. ibid.

CCLXXXII. To Cecil, or Cheke. Croydon, 29 Sept. 1551.
That Wolf might be licensed to print and sell the Answer to
Gardyner, p. 343.

♦CCLXXXIII. To Bullinoer. Lambeth, 20 March, 1552.
Informs Bullinger that there was no intention of sending an
English representative to the Council of Trent — Proposes to
hold a Synod of reformers in England for drawing up a De-
claration of doctrine — Had written to Melancthon and Calvin
on the subject — The controversy respecting the habits be-
tween Ridley and Hoper terminated. p. 344.

CCLXXXIV. To Calvin. Lambeth, 20 March, 1552. Pro-
poses a Synod of reformers in England, to draw up a Decla-
ration of doctrine, and in particular to settle the controversy
on the Eucharist. p. 346.

*CCLXXXV, To Melancthon. Lambeth, 27 March, 1552.
Proposes a Synod of reformers — George Major. p. 348.

♦CCLXXXVI. To King Edward VI. 1552. Recommends
Rodolphus Chevalferus. p. 349.

CCLXXXVII. To Cecil. Croydon, 21 July [1552.] The
Pacification — The Bishop of Cologne — ^Mr. Mowse — ^Answers
the charge of covetousness. p. 351.

CCLXXXVIII. To Cecil. Croydon, 26 Aug. 1552. Nomi-
nates persons for Archbishoprics in Ireland — His health.

p. 352.

CCLXXXIX. To Cecil. 26 Aug. 1552. Concerning the

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CONTENTS.

King's healdir— The peace in Cknnan j— The tnmaUtion of
the Book of Common Prayer into Frendi. p. 354.

CCXC. To Cecil. Croydon, 19 Sept [1662.] Tumw un-
willing to be Archbishop of Armagh — The Book of Artiolea —
Rayner Wolfe. p. 356.

CCXCI. To Ckoil. Ford, xx Not. 1552. His reason for
not proceeding in a commission — Reflection on wars abroad.

p. 356.

CCXCII. To THB Lords op the Council. Ford, 24 Nov.
[1552.] That the bishops might have the King's authority
to cause their clergy to subscribe the Book of Articles.

p. 357.

CCXCIII. To Cecil. Ford, 30 Nov. [1552.] His unwilling,
ness to be in contention with the Lord Warden his nei^.
hour. p. 358.

CCXCIV. To Cecil. Lambeth, 14 Aug. [1553.] Wishes to
know the grounds of Cheke's indictment — ^Anxious that ef-
forts should be made for him and Lord Russel — Would gladly
confer with Cecil. p. 359.

CCXCV. To Queen Mary. Expresses his sorrow for having
consented to the will of Edward VI. — Had subscribed un-
willingly, in compliance with the opinion of the judges, and
the personal request of the King — Had held no private com.
munication with the Duke of Northumberland — ^Asks per.
mission to write his mind on religion to her Majesty — Ac-
knowledges it to be the Queen's office to see the reforma-
tion of things amiss. p. 360.

CCXC VI. To Mbs. Wilkinson. Advises her to withdraw from
persecution. p. 363.

CCXCVIL To THE Lords op the Council. 23 April, 1554.
Concerning his consent to Edward VI.'s will — Complains of
the confused and hurried Disputation at Oxford — Ridley,
Latymer, and himself condemned for heresy. p. 365.

CCXC VIII. To Mabtyn and Story. Sept. 1555. Encloses
letters to the Queen— complains of not having been allowed
to correct his answers according to their promise. p. 367*

CCXCIX. To Queen Mabt. Sept. 1565. Relates the pro-
ceedings before Brokes — ^Details his reasons for refusing the .
Pope's authority — The matter not fully opened in the Parlia-
ment house — ^Brokes twice perjured. p. 369.

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CONTENTS.

GCC. To QuBBN Mary. Sept. 1555. The Queen's oath to
the Pope inconsistent with her oath to the reahn — ^The strict-
ness of his imprisonment — His readiness to appear at Rome if
the Queen permits. p. 383.

CCCI. To A Lawyer. Nov. 1555. Concerning his appeal
'^ from the Pope to a (General CounciL p. 384.

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PREFACE.

It is the object of the present publication to bring toge-
ther all that is extant from the pen of Archbishop Cranmer.
The utility of such an undertaking was pointed out more
than a century ago by Strype. " As the Archbishop,^ says
that diligent antiquary, << had been an hard student, so he
" was a very great writer, both in respect of the number of
^^ books and treatises he compiled, as of the Jeaming, judg-
^* ment, and moment of them.*^ He then proceeds, after
enumerating them at considerable length, to remark : <^ If
'^ somebody of Idsure, and that had opportunity of libra-
** ries, would take the pains to collect together all these
** books and writings of this Archbishop, and publish them,
'^ it would be a worthy work, as bothi- retrieving the me-
** mory of this extraordinary man, who deserved so well of
^* this Church, and serving also much to illustrate the his-
^* tory of the Reformation*.'" But notwithstanding this Cnmmer't
suggestion, no comjdete edition^ of Cranmer^s Works haswc^i.
ever appeared. And yet many even of those which have

• Strype, Cranmer, pp. 304. 398.

t> The nearest approach to such a publication is the Selection from
Cranmer*s Works, which forms tlie third volume of The Fathers of ike
English Churchy London, 1809. This contains the Prologue to the
Bible, The Annotations on the King's Book, The Catechism of 1548,
The Defence of the True and Catholic Doctrine cf the Sacrament, The
Amwer to R, Smythe, The three Homilies of Salvation, Faith and
Works, A Letter to Mrs, Wilkinson, and some Extracts from the
Answer to G rdyner. Another Selection on a similar plan, but of an
inferior description, has issued firom the press more recently under the
direction of the Religious Tract Society.

VOL, I. b

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ii PREFACE OF

been published, cannot now be consulted without difficulty.
His most elaborate production, the controversy with Gar-
dyner on the Eucharist, has not been reprinted entire ^
since 1580, and the greater part of his minor compositions
are only to be found by an irksome search in the pages of
our ecclesiastical historians. Curiosity too is naturally ex-
cited by the expressions of Slrype*^, respecting the contents
CraDmer*8 of the Archbishop's unpublished manuscripts. It is how-
scHpts. ®^^^ ^^ ^ feared, that the expectations which may be enter-
tained on this point, will in great measure be disappointed.
Though the principal repositories of such documents have
been examined, no very extensive discoveries can be an-
nounced. It is true indeed, that a large number of MSS. ^

* The Defence, &c. besides being inserted in The Fathers of the
English Church, was reprinted in 1825, by Mr. Todd, with an Histo-
rical and Critical Introduction : but all that has been lately published
of the Answer to Gardyner are the Extracts mentioned in the preced-
ing note.

d Strype, Cranmer, p. 395—899.

® Many of these manuscripts are scattered papers of no great length,
but the following are of some bulk.

In the Lambeth lAhrary.
No. 1107. Archbishop Cranroer's Collections of Law.
No. 1108. Archbishop Cranmer's Collections of Divinity.
For an account of the contents of these volumes, see Strype, Cran^-
mevj Oxf. 1812. Addenda, No. 1.

In the State Paper Office,
A large bundle entitled. Archbishop Cranmer's Papers.

In the British Museum.
Royal MSS. 7 B. xi. xii. Two manuscript volumes folio, entitled,
T. Cranmer. C. A. CoUectiones ex S. Scriptur. et Patribus.

In the Chapter House at Westminster.
Cranmer's Correspondence witli Crumwell.

For a description of the numerous manuscripts relating to Cranmer
in the Uhrary of Corpus Christi College^ Cambridge, see Nasmyth's
Catalogue.

It does not appear what is become of the bundle of books seen by

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THE EDITOR. iii

are in existence, connected with the name of Cranmer ; but
few only contain any thing, which can fairly be classed
among his Works. Some of them consist wholly of quota-
tions from various sources; many were obviously tracts drawn
up by others for his perusal ; and several of the rest, which
may posubly, with more reason, claim him as their author,
cannot be ascribed to him with any satisfactory degree of
confidence. The search however has not been altogether
fiiiitless. Though the importance of these papers may have
been overrated, they yet possess much interest, and have fur-
nished for the present Collection some valuable materials ^ not
before generally known. But even if no new matter had been
procured, and nothing could have been attained, beyond
presenting what was already published in a more convenient
form, an acceptable service would still, it is believed, have
been rendered both to the divine and the historian.

A considerable portion of Cranmer'*s Uemains consists of
Letters. Many of these were long since published in the Cranmer^s
works of Coverdale, Foxe, Burnet, and Strype ; others have
been only recently given to the world in the State Papers,
or in Mr. Todd'^s Life of Cranmer ; and a large number
has, down to the present time, still continued in manuscript.
All these Letters have been now brought together, and form
the first of the following volumes. An attempt has been
made to arrange them in chronological order, "but the mate-
rials for fixing their dates are frequently so very imperfect,
as scarcely to afford a foundation even for the most vague
conjecture.

Ant. Wood in the Palace Treasurj at Weitrainsier, and " written, as
" was supposed, hy Dr. Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Dr.
" Clark, Bishop of Bath and Wells. Which books contain a defence
** of the King's title of sopreme head, and of the divorce from his first
^ wife, Queen Catharine, and several matters ag^nst Cardinal Pole.''
Wood, Athena Oxm, p. 676.

f The extent of these additions may be seen by referring to the
Table of Contents, where they are distinguished by asterisks.

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iv PREFACE OF

The Correspondence commences in 1581, and closes in
1556, a short time only before the Archbishop^s martyr-
dom. It is most copious during the years s which elapsed
between his elevation to the see of Canterbury in Feb.
1533- 1540. 1533, and the death of Crumwell in July 1540. And
the greater part of what belongs to this period, was ad«
dressed to that powerful minister. Much of it will be
found to relate to the most interesting occurrences of the
day : but much also is on very trifling subjects, and per-
haps may be deemed scarcely worthy of publication. But
it is hazardous to condemn as unimportant, any genuine re-
lics of a man who bore so leading a part at such an eventful
crisis. Dates may be determined, local history illustrated,
the temper of the times discovered, and slight shades of
character distingubhed, by what may appear, at first sight
and without reference to other circumstances, altogether un-
deserving of attention. The very trifles for instance, on
I which Cranmer thought it necessary to consult the Eing'^s
'; Vicar General, prove the extensive power of that favourite,
and the perfect subjection of the ecclesiastical authorities to
the newly acknowledged supremacy of the Crown. Again,
the numerous solicitations of the Archbishop in behalf of his
friends and dependents, display in a strong light that bene-
volence of heart, which few even of his bitterest enemies
have ventured to deny. And in another case, a very brief,
and apparently immaterial remark, is of essential service,
when taken in connexion with its date, towards overthrow-
ing the credit of an improbable tale, that has been too
hastily admitted by several protestant writers ^. For these
reasons it has been thought best to err on the side of

s The numerous Letters of this period, which have come down to us,
are preserved chiefly, either in a book of copies in the Harleian Col-
lection, (No. 6148.) or among Crum well's papers in the Chapter
House at Westminster.

*» See Letter ccxxx.

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THE EDITOR. v

tediousnesB, rather than suppression, and to withhold no-
thing.

The objection to the publication of unimportant matter
does not apply with equal force to the other periods of
Cranmer^s life; his correspondence being in general more
scanty, but on weightier topics. Three Letters only have
been preserved of an earlier date than his appcnntment to the
Primacy : but one of these gives almost the only particulars
known respecting a book presented to Hen. VIII. by Reg.
Pole on the validity of Queen Catharine^s marriage ; and
the others, being CranmeFs dispatches to the King, during
his embassy to the Emperor Charles V, are curious memo-
rials of his diplomatic transactions. There are also but 1540-1547*
few of his Letters extant from the death of Crumwell in
1540, to that of Henry VIII. in 1547; but these few con-
tain a very remarkable narrative of an interview with Queen
Catharine Howard after the discovery of her incontinence,
an account of a singular overture for a reconciliation on the
part of Anne of Cleves, and some authentic details of the
deagns entertained during the latter years of Henry ^s reign,
for the reformation of the public worship, and the more
complete abolition of superstitious practices K Nor are the
remains of his correspondence under Edw. VI. much more 1547-1553.
copious : yet they furnish, besides several other interesting
records, some valuable fragments of his negotiations with
foreign Protestants for forming a general union of the Re-
formed Churches k. And lastly^ his Letters after the acces- 155.1- >55^«
sion of Mary, though very limited in number, not only de-
rive a peculiar interest from his altered circumstances, but
also give us an insight into the principles, by which he had
been guided as Primate during the preceding reigns. The

' See Letters cclxi. cclxii. cclxiv. cclxvi.

k Most of the Letters on this subject are now printed for the first
time from manuscripts at Zurich. See Letters cclxxiii. cclxxvi.

CCLXXXIIX. CCLXXXV.

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vi PREFACE OF

long Letter' addressed- to the Queen in Sept. 1555, is in
fact a formal vindication of the English Church, for throw-
ing off the papal dominion, and for removing the corrup-
tions, doctrinal and practical, by which it had been attended.
However trivial therefore some parts of this correspondence
may appear, it is yet hoped, that when viewed as a whole,
it will be found to supply a rich fund of curious and au-
thentic information on a most important period of our
history.
Cranmer's The first volume beinff occupied by Cranmer's Corre-

Miscella. ^ li^jj.

neons Re- spondence, the subsequent ones are devoted to the re-
'"**°^' mainder of his writings. These also, with a few exceptions,
have been arranged chronologically. They are very mis-
cellaneous in their character, and some of them probably
will seem of too inconsiderable value to deserve a place in
the Collection. But, as has been already observed, it is
scarcely prudent to reject any thing that fell from the chief
director of the English Reformation. Papers, intrinsically of
little moment, may derive importance from the events with
which they are connected, or from the light which they may
throw on the Confession of Faith and the Form of Prayer
still in use. Such fragments then may surely be published
with advantage : but they often will not explain themselves.
Sometimes, indeed, they will be hardly intelligible, without
a knowledge of the circumstances in which they originated.
It may therefore be useful, without entering on the Arch-
bishop^s life in general, to prefix some account of his literary
labours.
QuecQ Ca- Cranmer is recorded to have first employed his pen on
divorce. ^^^ memorable question respecting the validity of King
Henry VIII.'s marriage with Catharine of Arragon ™. Ac-

* Letter ccxcix.

^ Although this appears to have been the first occasion on which
Cranmer came forward as a writer, he had long enjoyed at Cambridge
a high reputation for ability and learning ; and he had probably before

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THE EDITOR. vii

cording to the well-known narrative of Foxe, he was the
person at whose suggestion the King appealed to the Uni-
versities, when indignant at the unexpected adjournment of 1539.
the trial by Cardinal Campegio, and the subsequent re-
moval of the cause to Rome ^, But thb statement has with
reason been disputed ^ : there can be no doubt however of
his having expressed an opinion on the case at a very early
stage of the proceedings, and of his having afterwards been
specially commissioned by Henry P to explain his views in
writing. This was the origin of his Book on the Divorce.
The pdnts which it was his chief object to establish in it
were, that marriage with a brother^s widow was contrary to

this time formed some of those extensive Collections of authorities on
theological subjects, which are described by Strype and Burnet, and of
which several are still preserved. See Strype, Cranmer, p. 395 — 399.

'^ The following is Foxe's account of Cranmer*s answer to the ques-
tions of Gardyner and Fox. " Dr. Cranmer answered, that he could
** say little to the matter, for that he had not studied nor looked for it.
^' Notwithstanding he said to them, that in his opinion they made more
<' ado in prosecuting the law ecclesiastical than needed. ' It were
^ better, as I suppose,' quoth Doctor Cranmer, ' that the question^
** whether a man may marry a brother's wife or no, were decided and
** discussed by the divines, and by the authority of the word of God,
** whereby the conscience of the Prince might be better satisfied and
" quieted, than thus from year to year, by frustrotory delays, to prolong
" the time, leaving the very truth of the matter unbolted out by the
** word of God. There is but one truth in it, which the Scripture will
** soon declare, make open, and manifest, being by learned men well
** bandied, (and that may be as well done in England in the Universi-
'* ties here, as at Rome, or elsewhere in any foreign nation,) the autho-
** rity whereof will compel any judge soon to come to a definitive sen-
*' tence : and therefore, as I take it, you might this way have made an
^ end of the matter long since.*' Foxe, Acts and Monuments, vol. iii.
p. 634. Burnet, Reformat, vol. i. p. 155. The editions referred to,
here and elsewhere, unless there is a notice to the contrary, are that of
Foxe printed at London, 1641, and that of Burnet printed at Oxford,
1899.

<» Fiddes, Life of WoUey, p. 444 ; Collier, Eccle$. Hist, vol. ii. p. 52 ;
Wordsworth, Eccles, Biogr. vol, iii. p. 437.

P Burnet, Reformat, vol. i. p. 171.

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vKi PREFACE OF

the law of God, and was consequently incapable of being
legalized by a papal dispensation. He maintained farther,
that if these propositions were controverted, their truth
ought to be determined, not by the Pope, who was a party
interested, but by the judgment of Universities and learned
men. The work is said to have been executed with ability,
and seems at the time to have excited much attention. It
was not only laid before the two English Universities, and
the House of Commons % but was presented by its author
at a formal embassy to the Pope, with a profesMon of his
readiness to defend it in open disputation against ail im-
pugners^ Yet it appears, notwithstanding the publi-
dty thus acquired, to be now lost': and it happens sin-
gularly enough, that his only extant composition ^ on the

^ Strype, Cranmer^ pp. 7. 13 ; Todd, lAfe of Cranmer^ vol. i. p. 25;
Lord Herbert, Life of Hen, VIIL p. 352.

'' Foie» Jets and Monuments, vol. iii. p. 636.

' Its loss may perhaps have been occasioned by the incorporation of
its arguments into a Summary of the reasons for the divorce, which was
published shortly afterwards by the King's printer, Berthelet, with the
judgmeuts of the Universities prefixed. The contents of this Summary
are described by Burnet, "Reformat, vol. i. p. 195. See also Strype,
Memorials, vol. i. p. 141 ; Ames, Typogr, Antiq, ed. Dibdin, art.
1133.

< It is scarcely necessary to qualify this asseition by the mention of
CranmePs final Sentence of Divorce, printed in Burnet; (Reformat.
vol. i. A pp. b. ii. no. 47.) this being merely an official instrument. It is
material however to notice the contradictory statement of Strype, tliat
<' there is a short account of Archbishop Cranmer's judgment of the
'< unlawfulness of this marriage, digested under twelve articles, with
*' his own name written by himself on the top of the paper; which
<< Bishop Burnet transcribed from a Cotton manuscript." Strype,
Cranmer, p. 29. This, it must be admitted, is wholly irreconcileable
with what has been said above. But Strype is neither accurate in his
description of the muuuscript, nor justified in attributing it to Cranmer.
The volume referred to, contains not only the twelve articles of which
he speaks, but also a formal demonstration of each. And although it
is true that it bears the Archbishop's name in his own handwriting,
yet this was obviously inserted for no other reason than because the
book belonged to him. There arc no grounds whatever for concluding,

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THE EDITOR. ix

question is of a directly opposite tendency, being a long
Letter to the Earl of Wiltshire, in which he details, with
much commendation the arguments used by Re^nald Pole
in support of Queen Catharine^s marriage, and brings no-
thing against them on his own side, beyond a brief expres-
^on of dissent.

After the part which Cranmer had taken against this Papal Su-
marriage as a private individual, he was not likely in d^gl^'^™*^*
official character to hesitate about pronouncing the sentence
of its nullity. This sentence was delivered in 1589, and
led almost immediately to the great question of the Papal
Supremacy. For all hope of procuring a confirmation of
his decision from the Court of Rome soon vanished. The
Pope on the contrary, without regarding the appeals of
Henry and Cranmer to a General Council, declared the
marriage valid, and commanded the King to return to his
wife on pain of excommunication. The result of this com-
mand was an inquiry into the authority by which it was
issued. The right of the Bishop of Rome to exercise juris-
diction in England was openly debated both in the Council
and the Parliament ; and, according to Strype, ^^ the chief
^* burden of this weighty cause was laid on the shoulders of
" the Archbishop.'' His Speeches on the subject have not
come down to us, but their general tendency may be easily
gathered from the public instruments to which he was a

that be was the author as well as the owner of it : uor indeed is such a
supposition in any way countenanced by Burnett See his History of
the Reformaliony vol. i. p. 195.

A note in the late Oxford editions of Buroet would lead us to ap-
prehend that this document is now lost. ** This article,'' it is there
stated, ** cannot be found. Either the MS. here copied has a wrong
** reference, or the article was lost firom it in the fire which damaged
^* the Cotton Library. The MS. is much burnt.'' Burnet, Reformat.
Oxford,^ 1816, and 1829. vol. i. App. b. ii. no. 36. But there must
havejbeen some mistake here. For tlie manuscript in question may still
be seen in the Cotton Library, exactly according to Burnet's reference,
in Vespasian, B. ▼. and is in most excellent condition.

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X PREFACE OF

party, from a Collection of Extracts from the Canon Law %
formed probably to supply materials for this discussion, and
from several of his later writings. Upon the evidence of
these documents he may be believed to have maintained,
that the papal dominion was incompatible with the royal ;
and that consequently, a King who acknowledged the su-
premacy of the Pope, was not sovereign in his own realm.
It may be said perhaps, that this line of argument, though
well calculated to gratify the arbitrary temper of his mas-
ter, in no degree affected the real merits of the case. Even
if this be granted, it still cannot be inferred, that Cranmer
was actuated in his choice of it by a corrupt motive ; since
he urged it no less strenuously under Maiy, when she was
occupied in restoring the papal power, than he had done
under Henry, when that monarch was meditating its over-
throw. But in truth his reasoning was by no means devoid
of force. It will scarcely be denied, that the collision of
authorities which he pointed out, established at least the
necessity of inquiry. If this inquiry had ended in demon-
strating, that universal dominion was given to the Pope by
the word of God, the inconveniences of such an appcnnt-
ment, however great, must of course have been endured as
inevitable. But a very different result was anticipated by
the Archbishop. He was confident that the Papal Supre-
macy would be found to depend on human institutions
alone ; and then, the same evils which had suggested the
examination into its origin, would also show the expediency
of its abolition. And the right to abolish it would clearly
reside in the party by whom it had been created, namely,
the English nation ".

' See vol. ii. p. 1.

** The Protestation made in 1537, bj the King, the Council, and the
Clergj of England, against the Council of Mantua, states the argament
thns : ''That which [the Pope] hath osnrped against God*s law, and ez-
" torted by violence, we bj p>od right take from him again. But he

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THE EDITOR. xi

The discussion on the Supremacy of the Pope was speedily General
followed by another respecting Greneral Councils. This was
the tribunal to which both the King and the Archbishop
appealed, when a rupture with the Court of Rome became
inevitable. But there were many doubts respecting its con-
stitution and its authority. It was very important but far
from easy to determine, what constituted a General Council;
and supposing this point to have been settled, another
question would arise as to the extent of its power. Both
these subjects were handled by Cranmer, in a Speech of
which an abstract has been preserved by Burnet. He as-
serted ^, that, strictly speaking, no truly General Council
was ever held, but that some had been so called, ^^ because
^^ the Emperor summoned them, and all Christendom did
^^ agree to their definitions.'^ And thus ^^ it was not the
'^ number nor authority of the bishops, but the matter of
*' thnr dedaons,^ upon which the universal submission to
their decrees, and their consequent title of " General'' de-
pended. With regard to their jurisdiction, it was hb
opinion, that ^* it did not extend to princes' dominions or
** secular matters, but only to pcunts of faith i" and even
on these ^< he had much doubting with himself,'' and con-
sidered it a very ^^ tender point, how much ought to be de-
" ferred to a Council.". . . " The word of God was the rule of
^< faith in all controversies of religion ;" and on this and on
*< those expositions of it which had been agreed on by the
^< doctors of the Church," Councils, he thought, ^^ should

<* and his will say, we gave them a primacy. We hear them well ; we
<' gave it you indeed. If you have authority as long as our consent
** giveth it you, and you evermore will make your plea upon our con-
** sent, then let it have even an end where it began; we consent no
" longer, your authority must needs begone.*^ Foxe^ Acts and Monwnentif
vol. ii. p. 375. See also Strype, Memorials, vol. i. App. no. 72;
Burnet, Reformat, vol. i. p. 441.
« Vol. ii.p. 11.

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xu PREFACE OF

<* found their decisions.'" If reference be also made to two
public instruments x which he subscribed shortly afterwards,
and in the compo^tion of which he probably assisted, he
will be found to have held moreover, that neither the Pope
nor any other individual sovereign, now possessed the pri-
vilege of calling General Councils, and that ^^ Christian
^' Princes ought to foresee and provide, lest the most noble
** wholesome institutions of our elders in this behalf, be
" perverted to a most contrary and most wicked end and
" effect ^.'^
Speech in The Speech just described, exists only in an abstract, but
tion^ mV6 *^'^ot'^^'* delivered about two years later, on a question of equal
if not greater moment, has been preserved entire by Foxe.
It was addressed to the Convocation in one of the important
debates which preceded the publication of the Articles of
1536. The attention of this assembly had been already
directed to the increasing appetite for religious controversy,
and the Lower House had presented a formal complaint,
divided into sixty-seven heads ^, against the new and erro-
neous doctrines that were "commonly preached, taught,
** and spoken,*" when Crumwell came to the Upper House,
as Vicar Genera], with a message from the King^. His
Majesty, he said, " studied day and night to set a quiets
" ness in the Church,*" and he was himself well able " by his
^* excellent learning*" to settle the prevailing disputes, yet he
would " suffer no common alteration but by the consent of

y 7%« Judgment of the Convocation concerning General Councilsy vol.
iv. App. no. V ; and The opinion of certain of the Bishops and Clergy
touching the General Councily Ibid. no. viii. See also the Protestations
against the Councils of Mantua and Vicenza, in Foxe, Acts and Mo-
numents, vol. ii. pp. 372. 437. In the former of these it is declared,
that *' they that be wisest do despair of a General Council : wherefore
" we think it best, that every prince call a provincial Council, and
" every prince to redress his own realm." Foxe, vol. ii. p. 375.

' Judgment of Convocation, vol. iv. App. p. 359.

* Fuller, Church Hist. b. v ; Wilkins, Concilia, vol. iii. p. 804.

b Foxe, Acts and Monuments, vol. ii. p. 503.

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THE EDITOR. xiii

" them, and of his whole Parliament ;*" and he therefore re-
quired them ** friendly and lovingly to dispute among them-
^^ selves of the controversies moved in the Church, and to
« conclude all things by the word of God."" These contro-
veraes, as we learn from the Archbishop's Speech % were
of ^^ no light matters, but even the principal points of the
" Christian reli^on {^ namely, " of the true understanding of
*< the Law and the Gospel ; of the manner and way how
'^ sins be forgiven ;^ of the means by which doubtful con-
sciences ** may be cerufied that they please God ;^ ^' of the
" true use of the sacraments, whether the outward work of
" them doth justify man, or whether we receive our justifi-
** cation by faith f* and also, ** which be the good works
*^ which please God,^ and what were the ceremonies which
ought truly to be called sacraments. All these points were
proposed for consideration, but the Archbishop recom-
mended that the sacmments should be examined first ; and
according to his advice, an inquiry into their nature and
number formed the business of the present sitting.

It may be collected from Foxe, that Cranmer himself took
a leading part in the debate, but the short Speech we possess,
does little more than state the question, and lay down the
authority, namely, that of the Scriptures, by which it was
to be determined. Other addresses however have been re*
ported, which enter more fully into the subject. Alexander
Alesse^ a Scotch refugee, who was introduced and com-
manded to speak by Crumwell, laid down a definition of a
sacrament very similar to that of our Church Catechism,
and argued from thence, that the only ceremonies entitled to
the name, were Baptism and the Lord'^s Supper. And
Fox, Bishop of Hereford, on the same side, enlarged on the
folly of attempting by sophistical subtleties to steal away
from the people, that light which had now broken in on
them from the reading of the Scriptures. The chief speaker

c Vol. ii. p. 16.

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xiv PREFACE OF

of the opposite party was Stokesley, Bishop of London,
who defended the seven sacraments by an appeal to anti-
quity. The Bible indeed, he admitted^ was the only Written
Word of Grod ; but he asserted, that many traditions^ inas-
much as they are mentioned by the old doctors of the
Church, might be presumed to have been received from the
Apostles, and being therefore of like authority with the
Scripture, might " worthily be called the Word of God
** Unwritten <*." The discussion was carried on with much
freedom of speech, but led to no decision : and it seems to
have been felt, that the Convocation was so much divided in
opinion, as to render it very doubtful, whether, if left to
their own deliberations, they would draw up any form of
Articles of doctrine at all. To obviate this difficulty, a Book of Articles
which had been previously prepared, was brought down by
Crumwell. It gave rise to warm debates ; but was at length
subscribed by a large proportion of the members of both
Houses, and was published shortly afterwards with the foU
lowing title : Articles devised by the Kingee Highnee Ma*
jeetie^ to stdbtyshe Christen quietnes and unitie amonge usj
and to avoyde contentious opinions : which Articles be also
approved by the conseni and determination of the hole
Clergie qfthis realme. These were the Articles of 1586, the
first Formulary of Faith agreed on by the Church of Eng-
land after its separation from that of Rome, and the foun*
dation on which the more copious expositions of doctrine
subsequently set forth by Hen. VIII. were constructed.

Tliis Formulary has been attributed, on the evidence <^ the
above title, wholly to the pen of the King, but the Introduc-
tion prefixed to it does not support thb conclusion. It is
more likely that it was drawn up by a committee ; and there
is much probability in Strype's conjecture, that " a great
" share therein'' belonged to the Archbishop «. This view

<* Foxe, Acti and Monuments, vol. ii. p. 506.
« Strype, Cranmer, p. 40.

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THE EDITOR. xv

is confinned by a draft for the Articles on images and on
praying to saints, preserved at Lambeth, on which correc-
tions in the handwriting of Cranroer and Tunstal may still
be seen ^ But there is reason to believe, that although this
Formulary was not originally composed by Hen. VIII, it
was yet revised by him, before it was submitted to the
Convocation. For he speaks in his Preface to it, of having
^' in his own person many times taken great pain, study,
<^ labour, and travailssT and Burnet states, that he had
seen copies of several parts of it, with alterations by the
Eing^s own hand ^.

It has been often assumed, that the Reformers gained a ms. Fr»g-
great point by the omisaon in these Articles of four out of ™^*j^JJ^
the seven sacraments; and that they lost ground in the^S^^'
following year, by the restoration of them to their former
rank in The Instiiutian of a Christian Man, But a do-
cument > in the Chapter House at Westminster proves

^Lambeth Library, No. 1107. Archbishop Cranmer*s Collection of
LaWy p. 125^132. One of these corrections is very characteristic of
the sentiments of the two prelates. Tunstal inserted a sanction of the
practice of praying to saints, upon which Cranmer added a quali6ca-
tioo, that it must ^ be done without any vain superstition.'' Both
clauses are retained in the printed copies.

S Formularies of Faith, p. xv. Oifbrd, 1835.

^ Hist, of Reformat, vol. iii. p. 237. Some manuscripts answering
Burnet's description still exist among the Theological Tracts in the
Chapter House at Westminster.

' The document alluded to, is an imperfect copy of the Articles on
Matrimony, Confirmation, Orders, and Extreme Unction, subscribed
by Crumwell, Cranmer, and thirty-three others. (Chapter House,
Thec^ogical Tracts, vol. viii. p. 11 — 33.) It opens with a declaration
of the inferior dignity and necessity of these four sacraments, agreeing
in substance, and partly in expression, with a similar distinction at the
end of the exposition of them in The Institution. Then follow the
Articles on Confirmation and Orders, which are perfect, and which,
like the three published Articles, were incorporated without much
change into The Institution in the following year. Those ou Matiimony
and Extreme Unction are missing. As this fragment does not appear

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XVI

PREFACE OF

such a suppontion to be erroneous. From this it appears,
that, whatever doubts may have been entertained by some
of the New Learning, (as it was called,) their leaders on the
present occa^on not only allowed Matrimony, Confirma-
tion, Orders, and Extreme Unction, to be styled Sacra-
ments, but actually subscribed the Articles drawn up to
explain them. And it may be suspected that the objection
to the publication of the Articles thus subscribed, proceeded
from the opposite party. The advocates for the Old licam-
ing would be much dissatisfied with the broad line of dis-
tinction, by which the above-named rites were to be sepa-
rated from Baptism, Penance, and the Lord'^s Supper, and
by which in fact little was left to them beyond the name of
sacraments. They might also have been unwilling to give
their sanction to the Article on Orders, as it was finally
arranged. For a dispute arose, as we learn from a note
on one of the manuscripts ^, respecting a clause originally
contained in it, asserting the power of priests and bbhops to
take examinations and judge crimes. And the dispute was

to liave been hitherto noticed, the signatures affixed to it are sub-
joined.

T. Cantuarien.
Joannes London.
Joannes Bathoniens.
Johannes Bangor.
Edwardus Herefordens.

Tliomas Cnimwell.
Edouarde Ebor.
Cuthbertus Dunelm.
Thomas Elien.
Nicolaus Sarum.

Joannes Lincoln.

Rich. Cicester.
Hago Wygom.

R. Woleman.
Joannes Skyppe.
Nicholaus Heyth.
Galfridus Downes
Simon Matthew.
Robertus Oking.
Richardiis Ewer.

Robert Aldrige.
Edwardus Crome.
Cuthbertus Marshall.
Marmaduke Waldeby.
Nicolaus Wotton.
Thomas Robertson.
Mauritius Griffyth.

Joannes Bell.
Edmund us Boner.
Gulietmus Bockm^
Johannes Barbar.
Gulielmus Maye.
Jo. Hase.
Ricardus Cox.
Thomas Garrarde.
^ Chapter House, Westminster, Theological Tracts, vol. viii. p. 59.

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THE EDITOR. xvii

settled^ as appears from the finished copy, by expunging
the obnoxious sentence. This may possibly have induced
the staunch supporters of eccleaastical authority to prefer
a total silence on the subject, to the circulation of an expo-
sition which in their judgment robbed the clergy of one of
their most valued privileges.

It has been long believed, that the Reformers were mainly institution
indebted to Cranmer for the larger Formulary of Doctrine ^j^* j^^
above alluded to, entitled The histitution of a Christian ^5^7-
Man. And this fact is now established beyond dispute, by
the recent publication in the State Papers of some letters
to Crumwell from Bishops Latymer and Fox ^. These two
prelates were members of the Commission to which the pre-
paration of t\e work was entrusted. They had therefore
abundant opportunities of being well informed : and from
their testimony we learn "^, among several other curious
particulars, that the judgments of the Commissioners were
*^ of such diversity,^ as to cause great difficulty in coming
to an agreement ; and that ^^ much of the credit of what^
« ever was praiseworthy in their doings, was due to the
** Archbishop.'* The plan pursued by these divines in
their deliberations cannot be ascertained on unexceptionable
evidence; but Strype's conjecture «* is highly probable, that
the matter was reduced to questions, which were proposed
separately to each Commissioner and answered in writing.
Certain it is, that many papers of this description, and of
about this date, are still preserved <>. The book at last
compiled by them, may truly be pronounced one of the
most valuable productions of this reign. The Articles
of 15S6 were its foundation, but they were much enlarged
and improved. Besides the Exposition of the four sa-

1 S(aie Papers, London, 1831, vol. i. part ii. N*». 90. 95, 96.
m See some extracts from their letters, Vol. i. p. 188.
° Strype, MemariaU, vol. i. p. 315.

** Among these is a brief judgment by Cranmer on Confirmation.
See Vol. ii. p. 18.

VOL. I. c

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xviii PREFACE OF

craments, which had been already prepared but sup-
pressed, it was further increased by long and useful notes
on the Apostles^ Creed, on the Ten Commandments, and on
the Pater Noater and Ave Maria, Thus the new Formu-
lary contained copious materials for practical instruction,
as well as a rule of faith. And since it was drawn up
for the most part according to the views of the Reformers,
it was better calculated to advance their cause than that
by which it had been preceded P. But though superior in
its contents, it was inferior in authority <l; being neither
approved by Convocation, nor set forth by the King. It
was published indeed by his printer, but was not, like the
former book, provided with a Preface by his Majesty, com-
manding it to be received by his subjects, as agreeable to
God's word. Its only introduction was a Letter to him
from the Commissioners, announcing its completion, and
praying him to issue orders for its general use.
Annota- Closely connected with The Institution of a Christian

The King's Mon^ are Cranmer^s Annotations on The Kings Book, By
^^^' some writers indeed, they are supposed to have been occa-
sioned by it J while by others they are believed to relate to
a work of later date, A Necessary Doctrine and Erudi-
tion Jbr any Christian Man'. But there is a fatal objec-
tion to both suppositions; namely, that neither of these
publications contains the precise expressions criticised in
the Annotations. Most of these, however, are found in
some manuscript Notes, written chiefly by Henry VIII.^s
own hand in an edition of The Institution preserved in the
Bodleian Library : whence it may be fairly inferred, that

P It was, however, differently interpreted according to the diffierent
views of its readers. See a curious discussion on this point in the cor-
respondence between Cranmer and a Kentish Justice, now first printed
from manuscripts in the Chapter House at Westminster. Vol. i. p. 208.

^ See Letter clxxxiv ; Collier, Eccki. Hist, vol. ii. p. 142; Strype,
Cranm, p. 54.

' See Vol. ii. p. 21. note.

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THE EDITOR. xix

either this identical volume, or some more perfect copy
taken from it, was " The King's Book,^ on which Cranmer
commented. The history of the matter appears to be, that,
at the commencement of 1538, a plan was entertained for
supplying the above-mentioned defect in the authority of
The Institution, by a republication of it in the name of the
S3ng. Thb new edition being contemplated, Henry was
probably induced, by his confidence in his theological ac-
quirements, and by his unwillingness to sanction tenets
which he had not fully examined, to take the pains of re-
vising the work throughout. Vain however as he was of Hen.Vlll.'s
his own learning, he condescended to submit his revisions ^JJ^^^^"*'
to the judgment of Cranmer. The task thus imposed an'^^^*^-
the Archbishop, will be readily admitted to have been of a
very delicate nature. But those who are strongly impressed
with the current accounts of his pliability, will have no dif-
ficulty in foretdling the course pursued by him. They will
anticipate, that he approved the corrections without hesita-
tion, and accompanied his approbation with many compli-
ments to the King's superior wisdom. Such anticipations,
however, will be altogether disappointed. It will be found
on the contrary, that he criticised both the grammar and
die theology of his master with a caustic freedom, which
might have given ofience to an author of far humbler pre-
tensions than a sovereign who had entered the lists Midth
Luther, and who prided himself on his titles of Defender of
the Faith and Supreme Head of the National Church. It is
true^ that he softened the severity of his criticisms by an
apology for his presumption, in being ^^ so scrupulous and
" as it were a picker of quarrels to his Grace's book'.*" But
even when these excuses have been allowed their full weight,
there will sUll remain enough of boldness to surprise those,
who have no other idea of Henry, than that he was a dog-

* Letter ccv.
c2

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XX PREFACE OF

matical tyrant, or of Cranmer, than that he was a cowardly
timeserver.

These Annotations^ as they were entitled by their author,
though they have been long known to be in existence, were
not generally accessible before 1809, when they were printed
for the first time in The Fathers of the English Church.
And they were still but imperfectly understood in the ab-
sence of the book, on which they were professedly com-
ments. This deficiency has been now supplied by the dis-
covery of Henry VIII/s Notes in the Bodleian Library.
And it is presumed that no apology is needed for inserting
these specimens of Royal theology in the present Collec-
tion ^ Though they cannot in strict right, claim a place
among Cranmer'^s Works, they are yet most necessary for
the clear understanding of his remarks. They will also tend
to illustrate the much contested character and opinions of
Henry himself. They will, for instance, prove on the one
hand, that his temper, however imperious, could yet bear
with patience the free remonstrances of an honest servant ;
and on the other, they will betray manifest indications of a
rooted love of arbitrary power, of a lingering attachment to
astrology and the like superstitions, and of an unscrupulous
disposition to bend Scripture, even by alteration, into an
accordance with his own views and passions.

The united endeavours of the King and the Archbishop
to improve The Institution, were not followed by a new
edition. It was left untouched till 1543 ; when it appeared
with far more considerable changes than were now contem-
plated, under the title of A Necessary Doctrine and Eru-
Confer. ditiofijbr any Christian Ma/n, The abandonment of the
ScGeftnan P'^"^ ^^^ ^^^ immediate republication was probably occasioned
^*"'^*" by a project of a more comprehensive nature. Negotiations
had now been on foot for some years between Henry and
the German Protestants, for the double purpose of con-
» Vol. ii. p.2i.

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THE EDITOR. xxi

eluding a treaty of alliance, and of drawing up a joint Con-
fesfflon of Futh. Some progress in the bunness had been
made by English embassies oh the continent, particularly
by one conducted by Fox and Hethe in the winter of 1585.
Seckendorf " relates that several Articles of Religion were
then agreed on by the two parties, and he recites the precise
terms, in which they expressed their judgment of the Lord's
Supper. But Henry was not satisfied with these delibera-
tions at a distance: he was desirous that they should be
transferred to his own dominions, and continually pressed
the German princes to send ambassadors for the purpose.
And his wishes were at length gratified ; a mission being
dispatched to En^nd in the spring of 1538. It consisted
of Francis Burcard, Vice-chancellor to the Elector of Sax-
ony ; George k Boyneburg, a nobleman of Hesse ; and
Frederic Myconius, Superintendent of the Reformed Church
at Gotha. On their arrival in London, Cranmer, with some
other bishops and divines, was immediately directed to open
conferences with them. The course of the present discus-
aons, as well as of those which had been previously held in
Grermany, seems to have been regulated by the Confession
of Augsburgh. According to the order of that Formulary
it was arranged, that the representatives of the two nations
should first settle the chief articles of faith, and should
then proceed to inquire into the abuses and corruptions al-
leged to have crept into the Church. They are known,
from a letter by Myconius, to have brought the first divi-
sion of their consultations to a happy issue ; having decided
on a form 'for declaring the principal points of Christian
doctrine^. But this concord was broken when they came

" Seckendorf, Comment, de Lutheran, lib. iii. §. xxxix. Add. (f.)

▼ *' In articulis et in summa doctrinae Christians eousque progressi

^ sumus, ut de pnecipuis jam conveniat : et quod de abusibas est reli-

'< quum, cum in eis rebus tarn verbo quam scripto, nostrorum Princi-

** pum, Doctorum, Ecclesiarum, et nostram sententiam eiplicaveri-

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xxii PREFACE OF

to examine the abuses : here Henry, who himself interfered
in the proceedings, differed so widely from the Germans, as
to cut ofFall hope of a satisfactory arrangement. The ambas-
sadors perfflsted in asserting, that the three main corruptioas
of the Church of Rome were the denial of the cup to the
laity in the administration of the Lord'^s Supper, the custom
of private propitiatory Masses, and the prohibition of mar-
riage to the clergy. The King was no less stiff in main-
taining all these practices to be good and lawful ; and either
from his own strong feeling on these questions, or at the
instigation of counsellors desirous of a rupture, he announced
his resolution to undertake this part of the controversy in
person ^. The tract written by him in consequence, as well
as the letter of the Germans to which it was a reply, is
preserved in the Cotton Library, and has been printed by
Burnet *. But the Confession of Faith previously settled,
has not hitherto been given to the world. Yet it seems
strange, that while the memorials of their disunion have
reached us, the Articles on which they agreed, should have
MS. Book perished. And probably this is not the case. For a ma-
in the state ""5^"P^ among Archbishop Cranmer's papers in the State
P^r Paper Office, may be reasonably conjectured to be a copy
of them. It is a thin folio, entitled, *^ A boke conteyning
" dyvers Articles De Unitate Dei et Trinitate personarum,
" De peccato originali,*" &c. The documents tied up in the
same bundle, relate chiefly to these negotiations with the
foreign Reformers ; and the " boke^ itself is manifestly
founded on the Confession of Augsburgh, often following

" musy et Episcopi atque Doctoresjam sententiam nostrara teneant,
*^ poterunt etiam nobis absentibus ilia expeDdere.** Myconius to Crum-
well, in Strype, Memorials, vol. i. App. N<*. 95. See also Cranmer's
Letters, Vol. i. pp. 261. 263.

^ This however must be understood with some allowance; for in
the elaborate answer addressed iu his name to the Germans, be was
most materially assisted by Tunstal.

« Burnet, Hist, of Reformat, vol. i. Add. N««. r, 8.

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THE EDITOR. xxHi

it very closely, and departing from it exactly in those in-
stances, where the mixture of English with German theo-
logy might have been expected to cause a variation. It is
also in Latin, and this circumstance adds to the probability
of its having been composed in concert with foreigners : for
such other Formularies of this reign as were designed for
domestic use, are in English. And lastly, the only Article,
namely that on the Lord'*s Supper, which there is an op-
portunity of comparing with the conclusions approved by
Fox and Hethe in Germany, is word for word the sameT.
There seems therefore to be a fair presumption, that this
*^ boke^ is a copy of the Articles of Faith arranged at Lon-
don by the English and German Reformers in the summer
of 1638.

But whatever may be the value of this conjecture, there
can be no doubt, either that this Book of Articles was con-
sidered at that time of great importance, or that Cranmer
was concerned in framing it. This is clear from the number
of rough drafts for different parts of it still existing in the
State Paper OflBce and the Cotton Library '; one of which is
corrected in the handwriting of the King, and several in
that of the Archbishop. This document is interesting also
in another point of view : it appears to have been the
groundwork of Edward VI.^s Articles of 1552, and conso-
le Seckendorfy Comment, de Lutheran, lib. iii. §. xxxix. Add. (f).
* Six of these Articles have been printed from the drafts in the Cot-
ton Library by Strype, who considered them to be part of a Formulary
composed in 1540 by Commissioners then appointed under the author-
ity of an Act of Parliament. This opinion, which has been adopted by
Mr. Todd, and with some reserve by Archbishop Laurence, is in no
respect inconsistent with the supposition advanced above. But no
evidence has been adduced in support of it; and the Articles of 1540,
even if they were ever completed, (which is doubtful,) being intended
for the exclusive use of the English Church, were in all probability not
drawn up in Latin. See below, p. xxx ; Strype, MemoriaUf vol. i.
p. 357. and App. N^. 11 S; Todd, Declarations of Reformerst &c. Iii-
trod. p. vi; Laurence, Bamptcn Lectures^ p. 195.

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xxiv PREFACE OF

quently of the Thirty-nine, still in use. It is not meant to
dispute the common statement, that the Formulary of Ed-
ward VI. owes much of its materials to the Confession of
Augsburgh. But it is suggested, that it was probably taken
more immediately from the Book of Articles just described,
that this was the channel, through which the language of
the German Confession was introduced into the English.
At least such an inference is supported by the fact, that
the expressions in Edward VI. 's Formulary, usually ad-
duced to prove its connexion with the Confession of Augs-
burgh, are also found in this Book of Articles; while it
contains others, which can be traced as far as the Book
of Articles, but which will be sought for in vain in the
Confession of Augsburgh. And to this Book, if it was
in truth the result of the conferences of 1538, the framers
of Edward VI. ""s Articles would be likely to have re-
course. They would naturally be anxious, in the execu-
tion of their undertaking, to meet, if possible, the views of
their brethren on the continent, as well as of their coun-
trymen at home; and they could scarcely pursue a surer
method of attaining this object, than by borrowing from
a form of doctrine already approved by both. Under
these circumstances the reader probably will not be dis-
pleased at finding this Book of Articles printed in the Ap-
pendix *.

Tlie failure of these negotiations^ with the German princes,
was one of the heaviest blows sustained by the English
Reformation during the reign of Henry VIII. It both
removed the salutary restraint hitherto imposed on the
King^s caprices by an unwillingness to break with those
who were embarked in the same cause, and it also enlisted

* Vol. iv. Appendix, N®. xiii.

^ Respecting some subsequent negotiations with the German princes,
see Burnet, Hitt, cfRef. vol.lii. pp. 277. 295. 311 ; Strjrpe, Memorials,
vol. i. pp. 339. 343. 367 ; State Papers, vol. i. p. 860.

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THE EDITOR. xxv

his personal feelings on the side of the tenets he had so
zealously pledged himself to defend. It thus probably con-
tributed materially to the success of the great measure, by
which, in the following year, the men of the Old Learning
endeavoured to stifle the growth of the New, the memora-
ble Act of the Six Articles <:. In this example of theological Act of the
l^;islation, the dogmas lately upheld by Henry against theciet. 1539.
objections of the Grermans, occupied a conspicuous place.
Cranmer however, timid as he is often represented to have
been, now combated his Sovereign's errors in public, no less
6nnly and honestly than he had formerly done in private.
Though desired by a Royal message to absent himself, he
attended resolutely in his place in the House of Lords, and
exposed the bill ^* with great reasons and authorities ^l."" As

« The Six Articles were: ^ First, That in the most blessed Sacrament
** of the Altar, bj the strengtli and efficacy of Christ's mighty word, it
** being spoken by the priest, is present really, ander the form of bread
** and wine, the natural body and blood of our Saviour Jesu Christ,
<< conceived of the Virgin Mary ; and that after the consecration there
^^ remaineth no substance of bread or wine, nor any other substance
^ bat the substance of Christ, God and man ; Secondly, That commu-
** nion in both kinds is not necessary ad salutem by the law of God to
" all persons; and that it is to be believed, and not doubted of, but
** that in the flesh, under form of bread, is the very blood ; and with
** the blood, under form of wine, is the very flesh, as well apart as
** though they were both together; Thirdly, That the priests after the
** order of priesthood received as afore may not marry by the law of
** God ; Fourthly, That vows of chastity or widowhood by man or
** woman, made to God advisedly, ought to be observed by the law of
** God, and that it exempteth them from other liberties of Christian
'* people, which without that they might enjoy ; Fifthly, That it is
** meet and necessary that private masses be continued and admitted
*' in this the King's English Church and Congregation, as whereby good
** Christian people, ordering themselves accordingly, do receive both
« godly and goodly consolations and benefits, and it is agreeable to
'' God's law ; Sixthly, That auricular confession is expedient and ne-
** cessary to be retained and continued, used and frequented, in the
<< Church of God." Statute of the Realm, 31 Hen. VIII. c. 14.

^ Foxe, Acti and Monuments^ vol. ii. pp. 443. 608; Burnet, Reformat,
vol. i. pp. 515. 518. vol. iii. p. 579; Strype, Cranmer, p. 73.

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xxvi PREFACE OF

the Speech delivered by him was afterwards, at the King'^s
request, reduced to writing, its preservation might have
been fairly anticipated. We learn too from an amusing
story in FoxeS that though it encountered sundry perils
in crossing the Thames, it was at last safely deposited in
the hands of Crumwell. But the mart}n*olo^st failed in all
his endeavours to recover it ; nor can it be discovered among
Crumweirs papers in the Chapter House at Westminster :
so that there is reason to fear that it has utterly perished.
The loss indeed may in some measure be supplied. Cran-
mer^s opinions on all the points discussed are known, and
several of them he has treated at length elsewhere. But
still we are precluded from the opportunity of marking his
skill, in tempering the production of '^ allegations and rea-
" sons so strong that they could not be refuted,*" with
" such modesty and obedience in word towards his prince,"
that his *' enterprize was not misliked'^ by him f.

For, notwithstanding his firmness in opposing the King,
he yet, to the surprise both of his contemporaries and of
posterity, retained the Royal favour. He was still, as be-
fore, constantly consulted on religious matters. Within a
short period afterwards, he was applied to by Crumwell to
correct a Primer s, was employed to prefix a Prologue or
Preface to the Bible, and was placed at the head of a Com-
mission for drawing up a declaration of the principal arti-
cles of the Christian belief. The edition of the Bible for
which he wrote a Preface, is that of 1540, known by the
names of " CranmerV and " The Great Bible."" The same

^ Acts and Monuments, vol. ii. p. 508.

^ Foxe, Acts and Monuments, vol. ii. p. 443.

8 See Letter ccxlix. Strype conjectured that Crunmer " had a
'' considerable hand*' in the Primer published in 1535, and attributed
to Cuthbert Marshall. But the only reason assigned by him, is one
which woM appropriate to the Archbishop all the best virorks of that
day, namely, that the book " had a strain of truth and serious piety
" in it."

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THE EDITOR. xxvii

titles have also been given, though, as it should seem, on
less sufficient grounds, to a Bible of 1639 : but neither of
these was the first that the Archbiriiop was concerned in
publidiing. The translation and free circulation of the'T'^*'''
Scriptures had long been objects of his anxiety and at- Bible,
tention. As early as 1634 he prevailed oq the Convoca-
tion to petition the King, ^ that the Bible might be trans-
^'lated by some learned men (^ his Highness^ nominations."*^
And he soon afterwards distributed portions of an old ver-
sion of the New Testament to several of the leading clergy
to be corrected. But Stokesley having positively refused
his asfflstance, and being probably supported in his opposi-
tion by others of his party >, the design seems to have mis-
carried. The whole Bible in English was however pub-
lished by Coverdale in 1636 *'; and from its being dedicated
to Henry VIII, is supposed by Lewis to have been circu-
lated by his authority. But this appears to be a mistake ;
since, in June 1636, the Convocation again prayed the
** King, that he would indulge unto his subjects of the laity
^' the reading of the Bible in the English tongue, and that
** a new translation of it might be forthwith made for that
*^ end and purpose ^^ And in 1687 Cranmer presented to
his Majesty, through Crumwell, an English Bible ** of a
*' new translation and a new print ;^ and on permission
being obtained for it to be *< bought and sold within the
*< realm, ^ he expressed his gratitude in terms far too warm
to admit of the belief that the general use of the English
Scriptures was already allowed ".

*• Strype, Cranmer, p. 34.

^ AJI the other divines, however, who were employed, completed
their parts, and sent them to Lambeth on the day appointed. Strype,
Cranmer, p. 48. Among the rest, Gardyner corrected the translation
of St. Luke and St. John, " wherein," as he assured Crumwell, " he
" spent a great labour." State Papers, vol. i. p. 430.

k Lewis, Hut. of EngL Translations of the Bible, p. 91.

^ Heylyn, in Lewis, EngL Translations of the Bible, p. 10$.

" See Letters cxci. cxcii.

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xxviii PREFACE OF

The earliest translation therefore which received the pub-
lic approbation of Henry VIII, may be concluded to be
the Version recommended to him by the Archbishop in
1537". And this not only enjoyed a formal license, but
was also farther sanctioned by CrumwelPs Injunctions o,
and by a Royal Declaration P. Yet it was not secured from
attack. The edition contained a prologue and notes, which,
since they reflected on some of the Romish errors, were com-
plained of as ^^ scandalous and defamatory ;^ and it was in
consequence revised^. This revision produced the two
editions of 1539 and 1540 ; both, as has been said, known
by the names of " CranraerV and " The Great Bible.*"
Preface to The latter of these, besides being superior in size and ty-
1540/ * pography, had also the advantage of a Preface by Cranmer^,
designed, as he himself expressed it, *^ both to encourage
^^ slow readers, and also to stay the rash judgments of them
" that read therein »."" With this view, he on the one hand
urged the expediency of allowing the Scriptures to be read
in the vernacular tongue by " all sorts and kinds of people;*"
and on the other, he laid down some rules for preventing
this liberty from being abused. ^^ And to the intent that his
" words might be the more regarded,"^ he used, as far as
possible, the reasonings of Chrysostom and Gregory Nazi-
anzen, rather than his own. Such a Preface was well cal-
culated to disarm the hostility with which former transla-
tions had been pursued, and may perhaps have inclined the
King, to whom it was submitted before publication % to be-
stow peculiar marks of favour on the edition which pos-
sessed it. For the title-page announced, that it was the Bible

" This is usually called << Matthew's Bible^" being published in the
name of Thomas Matthew; but it was in reality the work of Tyodale,
Coverdale, and Rogers. See Letter clxxxviii.

• Burnet, Reformat, vol. i. App. b. iii. N°. 11.

P Appendix, N«. xii. 1 Lewis, p. 120.

^ Vol. ii. p. 104. • See Letter ccliii.

* See Letter ccliii.

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THE EDITOR. xxix

appointed to be set in churches ; and a proclamation was
issued in May 1541 ^, ordering, under penalty of a fine for
neglect, a copy to be provided for every parish before the
ensuing 1st of November. And although complaints were
still made of its incorrectness x, yet Henry seems to have
thought with Cranmer, that the bishops were not likely to
" set forth a better translation till a day after doomsday r,"*^
and to have therefore permitted it to be used, under certain
restrictions ', as the authorized version during the remainder
of his reign*.

But to return to 1640. The Archbishop was asso- Commis-
ciated in that year with others ^^of the best learned, ho- drawing up
*^ nestest, and most virtuous sort of the doctors of divi-p^
" nity,'' for the purpose of " declaring by writing the *S4o.
*^ principal articles of faith ^J*^ It is remarkable that the
mode of proceeding now adopted, was difierent from that
which had been pursued on two similar occanons. The
Articles of 1536 were subscribed by Convocation, and con-
firmed by the authority of the King. The Institution of a
Christian Man emanated from an assembly of bishops and
divines, called together for the task by Royal command.

" Wilkins, Concilia, vol. iii. p. 856 ; Strype, Cranmer, p. 84. A simi-
lar order respecting Matthew^s Bible had been given in Crumwell's
Injunctions of 1538; but no penalty was then named for disregard of
it, and it probably had not been duly obeyed.

' Wilkinsy Ccncilia, vol. iii. p. 860 ; Lewis, Hist, of Tranilations,
p. 144.

y Letter clxxxviii.

' See the ''Act for the advancement of true Religion, and the
^ abolishment of the contrary,'' in Statutes of the Realm, 34 and 35
Hen. VIII. c. 1 ; and the Proclamation for the abolishing of English
Books, 1546, in Wilkins, Ccncilia, vol. iv. p. 1.

* Though several smaller editions were published for general use,
Cranmer's Bible continued to be *^ the Bible of the largest volume ap-
" pointed to be read in churches,'' till the completion of Archbishop
Parker's or the Bishops' Bible in 1568. Lewis, pp. 139. 175. 181—235.

b Stat. 32 Hen. VIII. c. «6.

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XXX PREFACE OF

But in the present instance, recourse was had to Parlia-
ment. Crumwell, as the King**s Vicegerent, informed the
Lords S that his Majesty, anxious to terminate the reli^ous
dissensions of his subjects, had nominated two Commissions,
one " to draw up an exposition of those things which are
" necessary for the institution of a Christian man,^ and the
other ^^ to examine what ceremonies should be retained, and
" what was the true use of them.*" The Lords having ap-
proved the nomination, the two Commissions seem to have
applied themselves to their work. And it may be collected
from an interesting scene described by Foxe<*, that the mem-

' Burnet, Reformat, vol. i. p. 549.

<* " After the apprehension of the Lord Cromwell, when the adver-
** saries of the Gospel thought all things sure now on their side, it was
<< so appointed amongst them, that ten or twelve bishops and other
'^ learned men, joined together in commission, came to the said Arch-
" bishop of Canterbury for the establishing of certain Articles of our
<< religion, which the papists then thought to win to their purpose
** against the said Archbishop. For having now the Lord Cromwell
<< fast and sure, they thought all had been safe and sure for ever : as
** indeed to all men's reasonable consideration that time appeared so
*' dangerous, that there was no manner of hope that religion reformed
'^ should any one week longer stand, such account was then made of the
" King's untowardness thereunto. Insomuch that of all those Com-
" missioners there was not one left to stay on the Archbishop's part,
^' but he alone, against them ail, stood in the defence of the truth : and
" those that he most trusted to, namely, 6p. Heath and Bp. Skip, left
** him in the plain field ; who then so turned against him, that they took
^< upon them to persuade him to their purpose : and having him down
** from the rest of the Commissioners into his garden at Lambeth, there
^* by all manner of effectual persuasions entreated him to leave off his
" over much constancy, and to incline unto the King's intent, who was
*' fully set to have it otherwise than he then had penned, or meant to
*^ have set abroad. When those two his familiars, with one or two
'* others his friends, had used all their eloquence and policy, he, little
** regarding their inconstancy and remissness in God's cause or quarrel,
** said unto tliem right notably :

** ' You make much ado to have me come to your purpose, alleging
** * that it is the King's pleasure to have the Articles, in that sort you
** * have devised them, to proceed : and now that you do perceive his
'< ' Highness by sinister information to be bent that way, you think it a

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THE EDITOR. xxxi

bers of the former, after much discussion, in which the
King, as usual, interfered, assented at last to a Formulary
of Doctrine, in accordance with the views of Cranmer.
But this Formulary is not now to be found c, and was
probably never sanctioned by any regular authority. Gar-
dyner and his party, though they could not induce the King
to withhold his approbation from it^ may be conjectured to
have had suflBdent influence to prevent its publication. It
certainly was not set forth before the rising of Parliament,
(though the scene recorded by Foxe was probably prior to
that date ^) for an Act was passed, declaring it to be inex-

** < convenient thing to apply unto his Highness' mind. You be my
'* ' friends both, especially the one of you I did put to his Majesty as of
** * trust. Beware, I say, what you do. There is but one truth in our
** * Articles to be concluded upon, which if you do hide from his High-
^ ' ness by consenting unto a contrary doctrine, and then after, in pro-
** < cess of time, when the truth cannot be hidden from him, his Higln
^ ^ ness shall perceive how that you have dealt colourably with him, I
" ' know his Grace's nature so well,* quoth the Archbishop, ' that he
" * will never after trust and credit you, or put any good confidence in
'< * you. And as you are both my friends, so therefore I will you to
" ' beware thereof in time, and discharge your consciences in main-
** ' tenance of the truth.'

*' But all this would not serve, for they still swerved ; and in discharge
" ing of his conscience and declaring the truth unto the King, God so
« wrought with the King, that his Highness joined with him against the
^ rest; so that the Book of Articles passing on his side, he wan the
'' goal from them all, contrary to all their expectations, when many
^ wagers would have been laid in London, that he should have been
** laid up with Cromwell at that time in the Tower for his stiff stand-
'' ing to his tackle." Foxe, Acts and Monuments^ vol. iii. p. 641. See
also Morice*s Statement in Strype, Cranmer, p. 430.

^ Strype indeed has printed from a Cotton MS, Six Articles, which he
assumes to have formed a part of it : but the assumption does not rest
on any sufficient grounds. See above, p.xxiii; Strype, MemoriaU, vol. i.
p. 357. and App. N". 112.

^ It manifestly took place before Crumwell's execution, which was
on the S8th of July, 1540. The Parliament sat till the 24tli. Buniet,
for what reason it does not appear, refers the whole transaction to 1543.
Reformat, vol. i. p. 643.

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xxxii PREFACE OF

pedient ^< for a thing of that weight to be rashly done, or
*< to be hasted through in this session of Parliament,^ and
enacting, that "whatsoever was determined by the arch-
" bishops and others now commissionated for that effect, or
" by any others appointed by the King, or by the whole
" clergy of England, and published by the King^s authority,
" concerning the Christian fidth, or the ceremonies of the
" Church, should be believed and obeyed by all the King^s
" subjects, as well as if the particulars so set forth had been
" enumerated in this Act i.^
Answento The Commissioners were thus empowered to continue
Questions their deliberations after the close of the session, and accord-
crameobT' ^^S^Y ^^^Y ^^^ *^ h&ve resumed them in the following au-
&c. 1540. tumn. Some remains of their proceedings still exist in the
Cotton Library and at Lambeth. These consist of Seven-
teen Questions^, chiefly on the sacraments, with Answers by
the different Commissioners, and a Summary at the end, of
their agreement and disagreement. Cranmer, though he pro-
bably drew up the Questions, was required also to answer
them in the same form with the rest. The opinions thus
elicited from him, afford a curious evidence of the fluctua-
tions of a mind, which in escaping from the errors of Rome,
did not immediately arrive at the truth : for several of them
are wholly untenable, and have consequently, though he
afterwards abandoned them, exposed him to no little anim-
adversion. He at this time scarcely recognised any distinc-
tion between civil and ecclesiastical authority, asserting the
Christian prince to be the sole fountain of both. To him,
he said S was " committed immediately of God the whole
" cure of all his subjects, as well concerning the administrar-

f Stat. 32 Heu. VIII. c. 26.

^ Cotton Library, Cleopatra, £. v. Lambeth Library, 1108. Stil-
lingfleet, in his Irenicum, erroneously assigns these Questions to the
year 1547. See Vol. ii. p. 98.

* Vol. ii. p. 101, &c.

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THE EDITOR. xxxiii

*^ tion of Code's word for the cure of souls^ as concerning the
** ministration of things political and civil governance :^ and
as the Lord Chancellor and other civil magistrates were ap-
pointed by the Sovereign to discharge one part of this office,
so were the Archbishop of Canterbury and the rest of the
clergy appointed to discharge another. The Apostles indeed,
he did not deny, nominated ministers of God'^s word, but
they did so, as he argued, not by virtue of any " supremity,
" impery, or dominion,^ but merely in the way of recom-
mendation and advice, which the people, as they chose, might
accept or reject, and because there were then no Christian
princes by whose authority such appointment could be made.
He pronounced also, that ** bishops and priests were not two
^ things, but both one office in the beginning of Christ'^s re-
** ligion ;^ and that they " needed no consecration by the
** Scripture, for election or appointing thereto is sufficient.***
He seems indeed to have approved ** certain comely cere-
** monies and solemnities^ used at their admis^on, but he
maintained, that ^* if such offices and ministrations were
** committed without such solemnity, they were nevertheless
** truly committed.**^

Thus extreme were the opinions into which the abuses
of ecclesiastical power had driven him. But even at the
moment of expressing them^ he seems to have had some
mis^vings respecting their soundness^: and as he had
but lately adopted, so he very quickly saw reason to for-
sake them. Shortly before, in 1687, he had held, " that
<< Christ and his Apostles did institute and ordain in the
" New Testament, that beades the dvil powers and govem-

** ance of Kings and Princes there should also be

^ continually in the Church militant certain other ministers
** and officers, which should have special power, authority,

^ ** This,*' be said, '< is mine opinion and sentence at this present,
^* which nevertheless, I do not temerariously define, but refer the
'< judgment thereof wholly unto your M^esty.^ Vol. ii. p. 103.

VOL. I. d

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xxxiv PREFACE OF

" and commission under Christ, to preach and teach the
" word of God unto his people C^ that " the said power
" and office hath annexed unto it assured promises of ex-
" cellent and inestimable things;" and that it " was com-
*^ mitted and given by Christ and his Apostles unto certain
" persons only, that is to say, unto priests or bishops, whom
" they did elect, call, and admit thereunto by their prayer
" and imposition of their hands^"" And shortly after-
wards, in 1643, he had returned in a great degree to these
earlier opinions. For in the Necessary Docti-ine^ to which
he then assented, it is laid down, that " Order is a gift or
** grace of ministration in Christ's Church, given of God to
^^ Christian men by the consecration and imposition of the
*^ bishop**s hands upon them n^." This later Formulary
however is throughout much less favourable than The In-
stitution to the authority of the Church : and it is positive
in declaring, that the nomination of ecclesiastical ministers
and the limitations under which they execute their office,
must depend on the ordinances and laws of each particular
Christian I'ealm.

The doctrine here taught, namely, that the priesthood,
though of divine origin, is subject in its exercise to hu-
man regulations, appears to be that in which Cranmer
finally acquiesced. It is at least in unison both with the
public documents " approved by him under Edw. VI, and
also with his conduct, which was uniformly marked by a
feeling of subordination to the civil magistrate °. Col-
lier however, as might have been anticipated, is by no
means satisfied with this method of reconciling the two

1 Institution of a Christian Man^ pp. 101. 104. Oxford 1825. See
also Henry's VIIl.'s Corrections of the Institution, Vol. ii. p. 41, &c.

" Necessary Doctrine, p. 277, Oxford, 1825.

" See the Articles of 1552, the Ordination Services, and the Refor-
matio Legum.

^ Cranmer having acted as Archbishop under a commission from
Henry VIII, considered on that King's death, that his authority was at

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THE EDITOR. xxxv

powers, and infers from the language of what is commonly
called Cranmer^s Catechism, that the Archbishop not only
relinquished his erroneous views respecting the derivation
of the ecclesiastical office from the civil, but eventually went
the length of asserting its absolute independence. This in-
ference however is scarcely warranted by the work on which
it rests. The Instruction of the Keys there given, undoubt-
edly insists strongly on the divine commission, the uninter-
rupted succession, and the sacred character of the priest-
hood : but all this is perfectly consistent with its being to a
certain extent subject to the civil power. And it is not
credible, that Cranmer, in sanctioning its publication, could
intend tojclaim an independent jurisdiction for the clergy,
when he had just before P surrendered all such pretensions
by declining to exerdse his own functions as Archbishop,
^ until he was empowered to do so by a commission from his
sovereign.

Such appears to have been Cranmer^s final determination
respecting ecclesiastical authority. His sentiments on the
necessity of consecration, and on the gradations of rank in
the Christian ministry, underwent a corresponding change.
As to the former, he fully admitted it, by allowing Orders
to be classed among the sacraments, in the Necessary Doc-
trine which followed, as well as in The Institution which
preceded his Seventeen Answers of 1540. With r^^ard to
the latter, it must indeed be confessed, that these Formu-

an end, and applied to Edward VI. for its renewal. A fresh commission
was accordingly granted for this purpose, in which the supremacy of
the civil power b thus asserted. *« Quandoquidem omnis juris dicendi
*' autoritas, atque etiam jurisdictio oronimoda, tarn ilia qus Ecclesi-
" astica dicitur quam Saecularis, a regia potestate, velut a supremo ca-
** pite, ac omnium magistratuum infra reguum nostrum fonte et scatu-
" rigine, primitus emanaverit," &c. Burnet, Reformat, vol. ii. App.
b. i. N°. «; Strype, Cranmer, p. 141. See also Letters ccxcv. ccxcix.
P The Catechism was published in 1548. The Commission exer-
cising tlie Archiepiscopal office was dated 7 Feb. 1547.

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xxxvi PREFACE OF

lanes do not clearly show the distinction between the bishop
and the priest, and perhaps that they do not recognise it at
all. But upon both points the opinions ultimately adopted
by Cranmer are sufficiently manifest from the Preface to
the Ordination Services, which if not written, as has been
sometimes supposed, was cei*tainly approved by him. It
is there declared to be ^^ evident unto all men diligently
** reading holy Scripture and ancient authors, that from
" the Apostles^ time there hath been these orders of minis-
" ters in Christ'^s Church, bishops, priests, and deacons :
** which offices were evermore had in such reverent estima-
" tion, that no man by his own private authority, might
" presume to execute any of them, except he were first
^^ called, tried, examined, and known to have such qualities
** as were requisite for the same ; and also by public pi'ayer,
" with imposition of hands, were approved and admitted
" thereunto^.'^

The consultations of 1540, of which the Archbishop'^s
Answers just discussed form a part, were not brought to
a satisfactory termination. It may be fairly concluded that
no authorized Confession of Faith resulted from them : for
Boner, in his Injunctions of 1542 % directed his clergy to
procure and study The Institution of a Christian Man^ as
if it were still the only work invested with any degree of
authority; and in the spring of 1543, the ^Act For the
advancement of true religion and the abolishment of the
contrary^ declared it to be expedient to " ordain and esta-
*^ blish a certain form of pure and sincere teaching, agree-
" able to God's word and the true doctrine of the catholic
" and apostolical Church.'" It was in pursuance of this Act
that the last Formulary of Henry VIII.''s reign was framed.
It was entitled, A Necessary Doctrine and Erudition Jbr

1 See the remainder of this Preface in Appendix, No. xxxvi. 3.
' Burnet, Reformat, vol. i. App. b. iii. no. 26.
* Stat. 34 and 35 Hen. VIII. c. 1.

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THE EDITOR. xxxvii

any Christian Man^ and was intended to b^ a guide in the Necessary
interpretation of the Scriptures to the clergy, and a sort of ^nd Erudi-
substitute for them to the people ; their free circulation ^®°> ^*^*
being greatly restrained by the same law. It seems in the
first instance to have been agreed on by several select com-
mittees of bishops % and then to have been submitted to
Convocation for its approval. This having been obtained, it
was " set forth by the King's Majesty,^ " with the advice,^
as he stated in his prefatory letter, " of our clergy,"' and
after ^^ the lords both spiritual and temporal with the nether
" house of our Parliament had both seen and liked it very
« well.''

The bishops named as having been employed in preparing
it, are Cranmer, Gardyner, Hethe, Thirlby, Skyp, and Sal-
cot. They did not profess to produce a new work, but
merely to improve that which was already in use, The In-
stiiution of a Christian Man. This they altered consider-
ably both in style and doctrine, abridging it in some parts,
enlarging it in others, and adding much that was wholly
new. The changes were on the whole in favour of the Old
Learning. This was particularly the case with regard to the
sacrament of the altar. Communion in one kind, which
had not been noticed in The Institution^ was now elabo-
rately defended ; and the effect of the words of consecra-
tion was described in terms, not indeed amounting to the
explicit assertion of transubstantiation contained in the Six
Articles, but yet such as were likely to be understood in the
Romish sense *. There were also some variations in the
mode of expressing the second commandment, and some
erasures in the exposition of it, tending to encourage the
use, if not the worship of images *. But on several other
points there was much real improvement, not only in the

' Wilkins, Concilia^ vol. iii. p. 868.

" See Institution, p. 100 ; Necetsary Doctrine, p. 262 ; and the Six
Articles, in a note above, p. 25.
* See Institution, pp. 130. 134; Nee. Doctr. p. 299.

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xxxviii PREFACE OF

style, which was rendered more concise and perspicuous,
but also in the matter. The practice of praying to saints
was cleared of much superstition ; penance was indeed al-
lowed to remain on the list of sacraments, but more stress
was Isid on the inward sorrow of the heart, and less on the
outward acts of confession and absolution ; justification was
treated more distinctly, as well as more copiously ; and the
difficult and controverted subjects of faith, freewill, and
good works, were handled with great ability and success in
three additional articles.

It has been asserted that the arrangement of this cor-
rected Formulary was chiefly managed by GardynerX; and
it has even found a place on some lists of his works ^. But
it is difficult to conceive that its luminous and precise lan-
guage could have flowed from the same pen as the dark
and confused sentences of Gardyner's acknowledged tract.
The Eocplication^ &c ; and perhaps there is more theological
knowledge in it than could have been supplied by a prelate,
who, great as were his talents, was in such matters not un->
justly called by Cranmer an " ignorant lawyer.*" It is far
more probable that large contributions to it were furnished
by Hethe, Bishop of Rochester, a man undoubtedly of high
attainments both as a scholar and divine. But the principal
director seems to have been Cranmer himself*: he is named
in the minutes of the proceedings in Convocation b, as a
member of all the select committees appointed to examine

y The Fathers of the English Church, vol. iii. p. 75.

* Tanner, Bibliotheca, art. Gardiner. Chalmers, Biogr. Diet.

* He is said by Winchester to have added the three chapters on
Free-wiU, Justification, and Good Works. Winchester on the XVIIth
Article, p. 33. See also Strype, Cranmer, p. 77.

•> Wilkins, Concilia, vol. iii. p. 868. Three select committees are
mentioned. Cranmer, Hethe, and Tliirlby were on all these; Gardyner
on two of tliem; Skyp and Salcot on one only. Respecting the Article
on Freewill, it is merely said that the Archbishop delivered it to the
Prolocutor of the Lower House to be read there, without any notice
of the persons by whom it had been prepared.

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THE EDITOR. xxxix

its several divisions ; and be is proved also to have been an
efficient member^ by the fact of his carrying some of the
amendments which he had suggested three years before, even
though they were opposed to those of Henry VIII ^. His
influence however was not paramount : Gardyner, it may
be suspected, often thwarted, and sometimes, by the support
of the King, defeated him<^; and thus a Formulary was pro-
duced which was not altogether such as he could have desired.
And this must almost always be the case in deliberations
of this nature. No single individual can expect to settle
every point according to his own wishes. The same thing,
as we know from his own words, had already happened
to the Archbishop in the compilation of The Institution.
He then acquiesced in what he confesses he ^^ never well
'^ understood.'" And he did so, because there was ^^ no
** evil doctrine therein contained e.*^ And now also he was
doubtless guided by the same motives. Though he as-
sented to expositions, which if he had been acting alone, he
would have expressed otherwise : he yet may be supposed^
never to have surrendered what he held to be of vital im-
portance, nor to have admitted what he considered a funda-
mental error. There is indeed every reason to believe, that
upon the whole he thought the Necessary Doctrine a useful
and seasonable publication. He gave it his support in Con-
vocation ; he took pains to uphold it in his diocese^; and in a
draft of a letter prepared for the King in 1546, he made Henry
refer to it as "his (the Archbishop^s) own books.^ Few men
would give these public and decided marks of approbation
to a work from which they in private dissented ; and such
refined dis^mulation was wholly alien from the principles
and practice of Cranmer. His principles, as he stated them
in a letter to Queen Mary **, were ** to show his sovereign

« See Vol. ii. p. 96. note. ** See below, p. xlviii.

« Vol. ii. p. 74. ' Strype, Cranmer^ p. 100.

R Vol. i. p. 322. ^ Vol. i. p. 363.

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xl PREFACE OF

^' his mind in things appertaining to God ;^ and if his repre-
sentations failed, to submit patiently, ^^ thinking himself
*' discharged.^ For " to private subjects,'^ as he wrote, " it
" appertaineth not to reform things, but tjuietly to suffer
" that they cannot amend.*" And his practice, as we learn
from his conduct on the Act of the Six Articles, was in
strict conformity to these principles. On that occasion he
both '^ uttered his mind^ to the King, and spoke against
the measure in Parliament. When it had passed, he, as
in duty bound, obeyed the law as a subject, though he
had opposed the bill as a legislator. But he did not, as
in the case of the Necessary Doctrine^ either exert himself
to enforce it, or appeal to its authority : he on the contrary
devised means almost immediately for preventing its rigor*
ous execution ^, and succeeded at no very distant period in
procuring its partial repeal k.

The same influence which was employed against Cranmer
in the compilation of the Necessary Doctrine ^ continued to
impede his progress during the remainder of this reign. It
did not however prevent him from carrying some measures
EDgiish of considerable importance. In 1644 the first step was
'544. taken towards the introduction of English into the pub-
lic worship, by an order from Henry for the use of a
Prayer of Procession or Litany, in " our native tongue*,''
differing but little from that which still forms a part of our
service. Other prayers of the same description for festival
days were also translated by Cranmer in pursuance of the
King's command"™, but were probably never published. The
principle however, that the people ought to follow the devo-
tions of the priest, had been already admitted by the protec-

* See Bumet, vol. i. p. 534; CoUier, vol. ii. p. 201.

^ It '* continued in his force/' as Craniner himself informs us, (vol.
ii. p. 212.) " little above the space of one year :" but it was not wholly
repealed till the first year of Edw. VI. Burnet, Reformat, vol. ii. p. 82.

* See Appendix, No. xxii. and Strype, Cranmer y p. 128.
*" See Letter cclxiv.

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THE EDITOR. xli

lion given to the sale of Primers, in the Act" of 1548, For
the advancement of true religion^; and it was still more fully
established in 1545, by the appearance of one of these useful English
compendiums under the sanction of royal authority. For 1545.
Hen. VIII.^s Primer was much more than a collection of
prayers for private use. Besides an English Litany,it contain-
ed also translations from the Matins, Vespers, and other parts
of the Breviary ; and thus supplied the means of joining in
some portion at least of the public worship with the under-
standing as well as with the spirit. And this point of the
congr^ation ^^ knowing both what they pray and also with
** what words/* was much insisted on in the excellent pre-
face P to it, which, though it runs in Henry'^s name, was
probably prepared under the direction of Cranmer. The
Eling there declares, that ^^ the party that understandeth
<< not the pith and effectualness of the talk that he frankly
*^ maketh with God, may be as an harp or pipe having a
^^ sound, but not understanding the noise that itself hath
*< made C and he proceeds to state, that he hath ^' given to
^* his subjects a determinate form of prapng in their own
^ mother-tongue, to the intent that such as are ignorant of
** any strange speech, may have what to pray in their own
*^ acquainted and familiar language with fruit and under-
** standing 4.'^

But besides these improvements which were actually ac- Farther Re-
complished, others were designed. It was proposed, as we designed by
learn from unquestionable authority ^y to revise the service y^Y^

n Stat. 34 and 35 Hen. VIII. c. 1.

o See also the King's patent to Grafton and Whitchurch for printing
the Primer of Sarum Use both in Latin and English, in Ames, Tf^pogr,
Antiq. ed. Dibdin, vol. iii. p. 4S9.

P This Preface is quoted on the authority of Wilkins, Concilia^ vol. iii.
p. 873. It does not occur in the reprint of the Primer, nor in any of
tlie earlier copies which the editor has seen.

^ See also Neceuary Doctrine, p. 335.

' See Letters ccxvi. cclxvi.

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xlii PREFACE OF

books^ to digest a new code of ecclesiastical law, and to
abolish several superstitious customs which had hitherto
kept their ground s. In all these plans Cranmer was
doubtless a prime mover, and as they had been approved
by the King, and were in a state of forwardness, there
seemed to be a fair prospect of success. But they were
frustrated for a time by the intrigues of Gardyner ^ It was
however only for a time ; for the death of Henry VIII. and
the accession of Edward VI. in January 1647, opened the
way to their being resumed, and for the most part happily
completed. And perhaps the issue might have been the
same, if Henry ''s life had been prolonged. He is known to
have been greatly displeased with Gardyner in 1546, and
he about the same time declared in such strong terms his
resolution to go forward in " the establishing of ancere re-
** ligion,^ that " a man,*" as the Archbishop states, " would
** hardly have believed it ".'^
Extent of But perhaps the progress which Henry had already
mationun- "^ade, is not always duly appreciated. It is not an un-
vTii^^" common notion, that his ideas of reformation were limited
to the rejection of the papal supremacy for the sake of
eflTecting his marriage with Anne Boleyn, and to the dis-
solution of the monasteries for the sake of enriching him-
self with their spoils. But writers who lived nearer his times,
take a very different view of the matter. " What organ of
" Christ's glory ,^ asks Foxe *, " did more good in the

* The superstitions named, were the Vigil on All Hallows day, the
covering of images in churches, the veiling of the cross, and the kneel-
ing and creeping to it on Palm Sunday. Strype asserts that the King,
though much attached to some of these, was brought o£f from them at
length by the Archbishop's " seasonable inculcation." Strype, Cranmer,
p. 136. See Wilkins, Concilia, vol. iii. pp. 84T. 861. 863.

' Strype, Cranmer, p. 136»

" See Cranmer's remarkable conversation with his secretary Morice,
in note (o) to Letter cclxvi ; and the translator's Preface to the
Confutation of Unwritten Verities, (Vol. iv. p. 164.)

' Acts and Monuments, vol. ii. p. 604. See also Letter cculxi.

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THE EDITOR. xUii

<^ Church than he, in setting up the Bible in the

^^ church, in exploding the Pope with his vile pardons, in
" removing divers superstitious ceremonies, in bringing into
^^ order the inordinate orders of friars and sects, in putting
*^ chantry priests to their pensions, in permitting white meat
^* in Lent, in destroying jHlgrimage worship, in abrogating
^' idle and superfluous holydays ?^ The good deeds here
recounted are of -very unequal merit, and some of them
perhaps may excite a smile; but when combined, they
must be allowed, both to have wrought a great change,
and to have prepared the way for a still greater. For
he not only shook off the yoke of Rome, but he broke
the power of that ^^ papal militia,*" as the religious orders
have been called, which might otherwise have replaced it.
While too he thus asserted the right of the National Church
to reform itself, he laid down also the rule by which that
reformation was to be conducted, namely, the written word
of God. And he followed up this appeal to the Scriptures,
^^ as the only touchstone of true learning x,*" by encouraging
their translation and general use. These surely were mea-
sures of sufficient importance to rescue him from the charge
of effecting nothing. It may be admitted, that though
he at one time favoured the circulation of the Bible, he at
another restricted it % that he pressed his own interpreta-

y " We willy that socb doctrine as we following the Scripture do pro-
** fess, be rightly examined, discussed, and brought to the Scripture, as

" to the only touchstone of true learning. As there is no

"jot in Scripture but we will defend it, though it were with jeopardy
<^ of our life, and peril of this our realm: so is there nothing that doth
'' oppress this doctrine or obscure it, but we will be at continual war
'< therewith." Protestatwn agairut the Council qf Vicenzay in Foxe, Actt
and Monuments, vol. ii. p. 438.

^ Notwithstanding these restrictions, many of the laity, as well as
all the clergy, were still suflfered both to study the Bible themselves
and to explain it to others. And although no one was permitted
to read or expound it publicly in the Church, without being duly em-
powered, it does nut appear that the copies placed there for general
perusal were removed. Upon the whole, though lieu. VIII. occti-

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xliv PREFACE OF

tions of it on his subjects to the violation of all liberty of
conscience, that he retained doctrines and practices % which
could not stand the test that he had himself set up, — it may
be admitted in short, that though he began, he did not per-
fect the Reformation : yet the value of his services may still
be incalculable. For it was precisely one of those cases,
where the beginning was at least half of the work ; where
it was not less laborious to clear the ground and lay a firm
foundation, than to raise a goodly building thereon. It
may indeed be doubted, whether the feeble efforts of a minor
could ever have removed those formidable obstacles, which
were not swept away without difficulty even by the mature
and vigorous arm of Henry VIII.
1547. But however this may be, it will not be disputed, that

his energy in freeing the kingdom from papal usurpation,
materially lightened the task devolved on his successor. Yet
Cranmer felt it to be still too heavy for the strength of a
youthful sovereign. It is evident from the remarkable con-
versation already referred to, that he considered the ex-
change from the long established and absolute sway of
Henry, to the new and unsettled authority of Edward,
as a loss rather than a gain to the cause of reformation ^.
He may perhaps have been mistaken in this view : the flex-
ibility of the son may in truth have been no less favourable

sionnlly wavereH, for which some gross abuses may have given sufficient
cause, Nic. Udars statement is probably correct, that he was really
anxious for " his people to be reduced to the sincerity of Christ's re-
" ligion by knowing of God's word.** See Strype, Cranmer, pp. 84, 85.
99 ; Stat. 34 and 35 Hen. VIII. c. 1 ; Wilkins, Concilia^ vol. iii. pp.
811 . 856, vol. iv. p. 1 ; Lewis, HUt, of Translations, &c. ; Foxe, Acts
and Monuments, vol. ii. p. 872 ; Preface to the Necessary Doctrine.

* It must not be forgotten, in estimating the progress which had
been made, that the English Church under Hen. VIII, was more re-
formed in reality than in appearance; many doctrines and ceremonies
being so interpreted and explained away, as to be given up in fact,
though retained in name. See Preface to Formularies of Faith, Ox-
ford, 1825.

^ " It was better,*' said Cranmer to his secretary in 1547, " to at-

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THE EDITOR. xlv

to the construction of a new system , than the obstinacy of
the father to the demolition of the old one. But the inference
is almost unavoidable, that the difficulties of his situation
under Henry were less, and under Edward greater, than is
usually supposed. And if we reflect on the youth of the
King, on the struggles of ambitious nobles for power, and
on the unremitting exertions of an able and active religious
party to baffle him, it may well be imagined, that the
position in which Cranmer stood was most embarrassing.
To his wisdom and moderation under these critical circum-
stances, we are mainly indebted, as is well known, for. our
present Church establishment. In spite of all impediments,
he succeeded in founding it on so firm a basis as to be proof
ag£unst the persecutions of the following reign. He re-
ceived, it is true, in this great undertaking, valuable assist-
ance both from his own countrymen and from foreigners :
but his was the presiding judgment which directed the
whole ; he was the master builder, to whom the symmetry
and beauty of the structure are chiefly due. He may there-
fore to a certain extent be held responsible for whatever
was done at this period for the reformation of the English
Church. But of course it is not intended to enter into an
examination of all the documents composed for this purpose
under his superintendence. An inquiry so extensive would
lead to little less than a complete ecclesiastical history of
Edw. VI.'s reign. Such writings only will be noticed, as
can be connected with his name by some positive evidence.

The first of this class which demands attention is his Speech at

aI-j^ ^^^ji nil win.

Speech at the Coronation <^. Instead of the sermon usual ^^Q^f
on that occasion, the Archbishop is said to have delivered a^^*^'*
short address to the young King, explaining concisely yet

** tempt such reformation in King Henry the Eight his days than at
*' this time, the King being in his infancy. For if the King's father had
'^ set forth any thing for the reformation of abuses, who was he that
" durst gainsay it ?" &c. Vol. i. p. 320.
« Vol. ii. p. 118.

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xlvi PREFACE OF

dearly, the uses of the ceremony, and the duties incumbent
on the sovereign; but at the same time declaring that
though these might be neglected, neither he nor the Bishop
of Rome had any commission to call him to account and to
pronounce his deprivation. This Speech was first published
in 1682, by Robert Ware, son of Sir James Ware, in the
second part of Foxes and Firebrands^ and has been copied
from thence into the present Collection. With a view
to authenticate it, inquiries have been made for the ori^nal
manuscript, but unfortunately without success.
Homilies, The next production which comes under the above de-
'547- scription is the first Book of Homilies. The whole of this
work may undoubtedly be attributed to the counsels of
Cranmer : but there are good grounds for believing, that he
was himself the author of the three doctrinal discourses, on
Salvation, Faith, and Works. These grounds being stated
in a note to Vol. ii. p. 138, it may be sufficient to remark
here, that some additional evidence in confirmation of the
uniform tradition on the subject, is furnished by the Notes
Notes on and Authorities on Justification <^, now first printed from a
don. ^' manuscript at Lambeth. That these were collected by
Cranmer may be inferred from their being in his hand-
writing, and that they were the materials from which the
above-named Homilies, or at least that Of Salvation^ was
composed, will hardly be doubted by any one who will take
the pains to compare them. The Notes consist of several
brief propositions, each supported by numerous authorities
from the Scriptures, the Fathers, and the Schoolmen. The
propositions are exactly those which are most insisted on in
the Homilies, and they are sometimes expressed nearly in
the very same terms. Many also of the authorities appear
in the finished work ; but, as might be expected from its po-
pular character, some that are cited at length in the manu-
script, are there merely referred to, and others are omitted

altogether.

d Vol. ii. p. 121.

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THE EDITOR. xlvii

This plan of publishing practical discourses for the in- Homilies,
struction of the people, had been already brought forward
in the late reign. Gardyner, in one of his letters ^ to Pro-
tector Somerset against the new book, admits that ^^ the
^^ Bishops in the Convocation holden A. D. 1542^ agreed to
*^ make certain Homilies for stay of such errors as were then
" by ignorant preachers sparkeled among the people ;^ and it
appears from the minutes of that assembly, that some Ho-
milies were actually composed by certain prelates, and pre-
sented to the House 6. But they were probably superseded
by the Necessary ^Doctrine ; and thus the matter, as Gar-
dyner says *», " took none effect then,'' and for " five years
" rested without any business, and the people well done
*^ th^r duties, I trust to God in heaven, and I know well
" to their Sovereign in earth K^ Notwithstanding this
flattering account of the public morals, Cranmer thought
them susceptible of still farther improvement, and revived
the scheme of setting forth a book of Homilies. He may
pofisibly in preparing it, have availed himself of those al-
ready written. If however this was the case, he also ad-
mitted additions, for he requested Gardyner to contribute
to it. But here he met with a refusal. Nor was this all :
that prelate also attacked the book with the utmost vehe-
mence, and, as must be allowed, with great acuteness ^. He

* Foxe, Aci$ and Monuments, vol. ii. p. i. Several of Gardyner's
letters, which were inserted in the first edition of Foxe, were omitted
in the subsequent ones. They were however again printed, though not
in their proper place, in the edition of 1641. See Acti and Monumentg,
1641. vol. ii. p. 1.

f Gardyner perhaps gives the date according to the old style. If so,
the vote for the composition of Homilies, and their presentation to the
House, took place in the same Convocation : for they were presented
on the 16th of Feb. 1543. Wilkins, Concilia.

f Wilkins, ConciUoy vol. iii. p. 863.

*» Foxe, ibid.

* Letter from Gardyner to Cranmer in Strype, Cranm, App. No. 35.
^ Gardyner*s Letters in Foxe, Acts and Monuments, vol. ii. p. 1 ; and

Strype, Cranm. App. N". 35 and 36.

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xlviii PREFACE OF

complained of its being at variance both with the Para-
phrase qfEra^smus^ by which it was accompanied, and with
the Necessary DoctrinCy which had received the Archbi-
shop^s sanction in 1543. It is to be regretted that the an-
swer to this attack has perished. As Strype observes 1, " if
*^ the Archbishop^s own arguments and replies to these
^' barkings of Winchester could have been retrieved, they
" would have left to the world a full vindication of Cranmer
" and his doctrine.*" Some surmises however respecting
them may be formed from the letters of Gardyner. From
them it may be inferred, that Cranmer admitted on some
points the contradiction between the Necessary Doctrine
and the Homilies. He for instance could not but confess,
that the hallowed bread, the palms, and the candles, which
in the latter work are classed among papistical supersti-
tions™, had, in the earlier Formulary, been declared to be
" things good and laudable, and very expedient to excite
" and stir up men'*s devotion ".'^ Nor does he seem to have
rested his defence on a change of opinion in the interval.
He appears rather to have reminded his adversary, that he
had endeavoured in 1643 to procure the Eing^s consent to
a purer worship, but had been baffled by the intrigues of
more influential advisers ^.

But there were other parts of Gardyner's attack, which
Cranmer may be presumed to have met in a difi^erent man-
ner. When accused of teaching now, in contradiction to his

* Strype, Cranmer y p. 151.

™ Homily of Good Works, (vol. ii. p. 176.) Strype, Cranm, App.
p. 78.

" Necessary Doctrine. Exposition of the fourth commandment.

^ " It grieveth me much to read written from your Grace in the be-
" ginning of your letters, how the King, our late sovereign, was seduced,
** and in that he knew by whom he was compassed in that 1 call the
" ' King's Majesty's Book.'" Gardyner to Cranmer, in Strype, Cranmer,
App. p. 74. See also Gardyner to the Protector Somerset, in Foxe,
Acts, &c. vol. ii. pp. 9. and 720.

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THE EDITOR. xlix

former professions^ that ^' faith excludeth charity from the
^* office of justifying P,*" he does not seem to have admitted
the truth of the charge. For, as Gardyner himself relates,
he explained it to have been his intent ^' only to set out the
*' freedom of God'^s mercy %^ an explanation, apparently
designed both to disclmm the inference drawn from his
words, and to assert the agreement on this subject between
the Necessary Doctrine and the Homilies ; since the former
work, no less explicitly than the latter, attributes our justifi-
cation to the " free mercy and grace of God '.'*' It may
therefore be conjectured, that in his written vindication,
though he may not have denied even on this head some
minor differences, he yet maintained the general consistency
of the two treatises. And in essentials they may furly be
said to agree. They both teach, that we are not " justified
** by our own acts, works, and deeds *,'^ but by the merits
and precious bloodshedding of our Saviour Christ ; that ^' by
" faith given us of God we embrace the promise of God's
^< mercy and of the remission of our ans < ;^' and that this
justifying faith is not ^^ alone in man without true repent-
'* ance, hope, charity, dread, and the fear of God at any
'* time or season ".*" And it was Cranmer^s object to incul-
cate plainly and practically these fundamental truths, rather
than to enter upon what Burnet calls " the niceties which
" have since been so much inquired into about the instru-
" mentality of faith in justification *.*"

P Foxe, ActSy Sfc. vol. ii. p. 6. Strype, Cranm. A pp. p. 77.

*i <* My Lord of Canterbury told me his intent is only to set out the
** freedom of God's mercy." Gardyner to Protector Somerset, in Foxe,
Acts, Sfc. vol. ii. p. 6.

' Necessary DoctrinCy p. 368.

* Homily qf Salvation, (Vol. ii. p. 139.) Necessary Doctrine, p. 368.
' Homily qf Salvation. (Vol. ii. p. 147.) Necessary Doctrine, p. S65,

" Homily qf Salvation. (Vol. ii. p. 143.) Necessary Doctrine, p. 368.
See also Notes and Authorities on Justification, (Vol. ii. p. 121, &c.)

* Burnet y Reformat, vol i. p. 576.
VOL. I . e

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I PREFACE OF

The Book of Homilies was published in the summer of

Meeting of 1547. In the November of the same year full occupation

aodConvo-was given to the Archbishop by the meeting both of the

catiou. Parliament and the Convocation. His Speech x delivered
1547* . ...

in the latter assembly, respecting teaching religion to the

people in the pure form in which it was established by
Christ, and eradicating what still remmned of popish cor-
ruption, is unfortunately lost. But neither here, nor in the
House of Lords, were his exertions fruitless. In both places
several important questions were agitated, " chiefly by his
" motion and direction 2.*" One of these was the celebra-
tion of the Mass. According to a design, which as Cranmer
informed his secretary Morice % had been entertained by
the late King, it was now resolved to '* change the Mass
" into a Communion,^"* that is, to substitute the general par-
ticipation in the sacred elements by the people, for the soli-
tary oblation of them by the priest. To give effect to this
resolution, an Act of Parliament ^ was passed, providing
punishment for contempt and reviling of the sacrament, and
ordaining that it should in future be administered in both
kinds, and to all who chose to receive it. It was also
thought advisable for facilitating the execution of these
enactments, that a New Order for the Lord's Supper should
be framed ; and a Commission was accordingly appointed
for this purpose ^.
Discassion The opinions of the Commissioners appear to have been
Mass. ascertained according to the method pursued in the late
reign, by the circulation of Queries. The Answers to
these by Boner and his adherents, provoked a fresh set of

y Archbishop Parker, Jn^t^. Brit. p. 507.

* Strype, Cranmer , p. 157.

* Foxe, ActSy Sfc, vol. ii. p. 586. See Vol. i. p. 321.

^ Stat. 1. Eklw. VI. cap. 1. Strype conjectures, that this Act was
not only " procured," but " drawn up" by Cranmer. Memorials^ voL ii.
p.'61.

* Strype, Cranmery p. 158.

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THE EDITOR. li

Queries from Cranmer, and thus led to a curious though
brief debate on paper between the opposing parties ^. The
chief points considered, were the benefit which the receiving
of the sacrament by one man might confer on another ; the
nature of the sacrifice offered in the Mass ; the propriety of
its b^g celebrated by the priest alone ; and the expediency
of using in it ^' such speech as the people may understand.*^
And the judgment of Cranmer was, that the act performed
by one man was of no avail to any other ; that there was no
true sacrifice in the Mass, but only the " memory and repre-
** sentation^ of a sacrifice ; that private masses ought to be
abolished ; and that, except in '^ certain secret mysteries,^
whereof he doubted, " it was convenient to use the vulgar
** tongue.'' With regard to private Masses, Boner and his
friends admitted them to be less desirable than general com-
munion, and argued only, that in the absence of people to
receive with the priest, they were " lawful and convenient.*"
On the remaining points they differed from the Archbishop
more widely. They were in particular very poutive in main-
taining, that <' to have the whole Mass in English was neither
" expedient neither convenient c.*" Here, as has been seen,
Cranmer also was not without his doubts, and was therefore
perhaps not unwilling to concede so far to their objections,
as to leave for the present the old Latin Office untouched,
and to limit the change to the addition of an English Order
for the Communion, according to which the priest, after re-
ceiving the sacrament himself, was to administer it to the
people f. This Order, with a Royal Proclamation prefixed. Order for
was published on the 8th of March 1548, and was trans- munion in
mitted to the bishops on the 16th, together with a letter ,^°^* *
from the Council, attributed by Collier to the Archbishop K,

«* Vol. ii. p. 178. « Vol. ii. p. 181.

^ Collier, Ecdes. Hist, vol. ii. p. 245. Sparrow, Collection of Re-
cords,

s Collier, ibid. p. 246. See Appendix, N°. xxxii.

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Hi PREFACE OF

enjoining them to take measures to secure its general use at
the ensuing Easter.

Edw. Vl.'s This partial improvement soon led to farther reformation.

vice Book. lo ^^^ following September, " a number of the best learned
men *»" met at Windsor for the purpose of examining all the
Offices of the Church. Such a measure was not altogether
new. A review of tlie Service Books had been directed by
Henry VIII \ and probably some progress had been made
in the work : for in the first year of Edward, the Lower
House of Convocation petitioned the Archbishop, that
" the works of the bishops and others who had laboured
*^ in examining, reforming, and publishing the divine ser-
" vice, might be produced and laid before the House''.'*
What was the extent of the alterations then projected, and
whether or not it was contemplated to adopt the English lan-
guage in the corrected ritual, does not appear. At present
however, the divines who were assembled at Windsor, had
no hesitation in determining that the worship of God should
be conducted in the vernacular tongue ' ; and proceeding on
this principle, they within a few months arranged that Form
of Common Prayer which is usually known by the name of
King Edw. VI.'s first Service Book "". It has always been
believed, that the excellence of this compilation is in great

^ See Letter ccxcix. p. 375.

' See above, p. xli, and Letters ccxvi. cclxvi.

^ Strype, Cranmery p. 155.

1 «« When I was in office, all thtit were esteemed learned in God*s
" word agreed this to be a trutli in God*s word written, that the com-
" mon prayer of the Church should be had in the common tongue.
" You know I have conferred with many, and I ensure you I never
" found man, so for as I do remember, neither old nor new, gospeller
'< nor papist, of what judgment soever he was, in this thing to be of a
" contrary opinion." Ridley to West, in Lettert of the MartyrSy fol. 42.
See also Cranmer's Letter to Queen Mary. (Vol. i. p. 375.)

°' It was printed by Edw. Whitchurch, in June 1549. The second
Service Book appeared in 1552.

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THE EDITOR. liii

measure due to the piety and judgment of Cranmer. By
his contemporary Bale indeed^ it is placed, together with
the Ordination Services published in the next year, upon Ordiu«tion
the list of his works. But it could scarcely keep its position
there, consisting, as it does, chiefly of translations from the
older Liturgies, even if the Archbishop were known to have
been the only individual employed on it. Still less can it
do so, when we are aware that he was assisted by several
Commissioners of acknowledged learning and talents. A
somewhat less questionable claim may be advanced in favour
of the Prefaces " to these two publications : since they may
be supposed to be original compositions, and since the first
words of them are actually quoted in Balers catalogue. But
these are merely quoted, according to Bale'^s usual practice,
to identify the books mentioned : and they in fact no more
prove Cranmer to have been the author of the Prefaces,
than of the entire works in question. Although therefore
they are sometimes classed among his writings, they have
not been inserted in the present Collection.

It is not necessary here to enter into a detail of the ob-
jections made to ^dw. VI.''s Liturgy, and of the revision
which it received in consequence, previously to its republi-
cation in 155S °. But some notice is required of a story re-
specting it, current among the English exiles at Francfort
in the reign of Mary. ** Cranmer, Bishop of Canterbury,*^
they were told, " had drawn up a Book of Prayer an hun-
^^ dred times more perfect ; . . . yet the same could not take
^^ place, for that he was matched with such a wicked clergy
" and Convocation, with other enemies P.^ Strype does not
seem to have had sufficient grounds for attributing this re-

" See Appendix, N<*. xxxvi.
*» Strype, Cranmer, pp. 5166, 289.

P A Discourse of the Troubles at Francfort, in the Phoenix^ vol. ii.
p. 83.

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liv PREFACE OF

port to Bullinger <), but he is fully justified in treating it as al-
together unworthy of credit. The Archbishop's " authority,
he says, " was now very great, so that there was undoubt-
^^ edly great deference paid to it, as also to his wisdom and
" learning, by the rest of the divines appointed to that
" work : so that as nothing was by them inserted in the
" Liturgy, but by his good allowance and approbation, so
" neither would they reject or oppose what he thought
** fit should be put in or altered ^." To this it may be
added, that if Cranmer's project had been really laid aside
to make way for one with which he was not thoroughly
satisfied, he would scarcely have undertaken a short time
afterwards to prove, " that not only the common prayers of
^^ the Church, the ministration of the sacraments, and other
^* rites and ceremonies, but also all the doctrine and reli-
" gion set forth by King Edward, was more pure and ac-
" cording to God''s word than any other doctrine that hath
'^ been used in England these thousand years :^ and again,
".that the Order of the Church set out at this present by
^^ Act of Parliament is the same that was used in the Church
" fifteen hundred years passed s.'^

The reader perhaps will be disappointed at not finding
CTanmer^B in this Collection the treatise published in 1548, com-
* monly called Cranmer^s Catechism. It must be allowed to
have a fair claim to this appellation, since it is represented
in the title page to have been ** set forth by the moost re-
" verende father in God, Thomas, Archbyshop of Canter-
" bury.*" Yet it certainly was not written by Cranmer,
being taken for the most part from a Latin Catechism by
Justus Jonas ; and there are good grounds for believing
that it was not even translated by him K It cannot there-

*» See Phoenix, vol. ii. p. 82. ' Strype, Cranmer^ p. 266.

• Declaration concerning the Mats, (Vol. iv. p. 1.)

* See Preface to the Oxford edition, 1829, by Dr. Burton, (p, vi—viii.)

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THE EDITOR. Iv

fore as a whole be considered entitled to a place among his
works ". But there is more difficulty respecting some par-
ticular portions of it ; for it is not in all points a mere
yerfflon. Besides other variations, it contains a discourse
of some length against the worshipping of images, and a
short but eloquent exhortation to prayer; of neither of
which is there the slightest vestige in the original. And
of these, it may perhaps be thought, Cranmer was the au-
thor. Henry Wharton indeed, and Mr. Todd *, attribute
them to the Archbishop without hesitation, and Dr. Burton,
in his Preface to the Oxford reprint of the two Catechisms,
leans to their opinion. Yet it seems fair to presume, that
the additions were from the same hand as the translation,
and this, as has been said, was probably not executed by
the Archbishop. At all events they cannot be traced to
him with any certainty, and therefore the only extract from
Cranmer^s Catechism inserted in the present Collection, is
the prefatory Epistle addressed to Edward VI. This is
undoubtedly genuine, and has accordingly received a place
in the first volume, among the Letters y.

Here also may be noticed another publication of theConfiita-
same date, which has been too hastily attributed to Cran- written
mer. This is a short tract on Unwritten Verities, printed Ventics.
anonymously in 1548, but supposed by Strype ^ to have been
written by the Archbishop, and to have been published by
him in Latin in the precedmg year. Both these supposi-
tions however are wholly unsupported by evidence : and

to whose full accoont of tlie two Catechisms the reader is referred for
farther information.

" There has been the less inducement to admit it, as it has been
lately reprinted; together with the Latin original, at the Oxford Univer^
sitj Press, in a uniform type with the present publication.

' lAfe of Cranmer, vol. ii. p. 592.

y Letter cclxxi.

* Strype, Memorials^ vol. ii. p. 136.

e 4

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Ivi PREFACE OF

the probability is, that Strype confounded this short tract
with a larger book bearing a similar title, which was put
forth in 1557 by an exile, designating himself by the initials
E. P., and which professed to be a translation from the
Latin of the Archbishop. But neither is this larger book
free from all suspicion. Notwithstanding the statement in
its title page. Bishop Tanner » has remarked, that though
written, it seems never to have been printed in Latin:
and it is indeed not unlikely, that it was compiled by
E. P. out of some manuscript notes by the Archbishop,
still preserved in the British Museum. It is at least certain,
that the Preface and the Conclusion, together with some
parts of the body of the work, must be ascribed entirely to
the translator. However, as it contains much matter which
was put together by Cranmer, though probably without
any design of publication, it has been reprinted in Vol. iv^;
where also will be found some further details respecting it.
The other tract, being thought to be altogether spurious,
has been placed in the Appendix c.
Marquis of About this same time, as if the last reign had not pro-
ton's DU duced sufficient business of this nature, Cranmer was en-
^"*' gaged in examining a new and important case of divorce <^.
It was indeed more truly a case of divorce than any that
had been yet before him, being the first which turned upon
the possibility of dissolving the nuptial tie : for in the three
matrimonial causes of Henry VIII. it was held, that the
nuptial tie had been never fastened, and that the marriages
consequently were null and void ab initio. The plaintiff
on the present occasion, was William Par, Marquis of

* The following is his remark : " Confutatiom of Unwritten VeritieXy
'' written against Rich. Smithes book^ De veritatibus non scriptis ; qui
*' liber Latine scriptus> nunquam ut mihi quidem videtur, in ea lingua
" iropressus fuit.'' Tanner, Bibliotheca.

»> Vol. iv. p. 143.

* Appendix, N<*. xxxv.

** Burnet, Reformat, vol. ii. p. 115.

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THE EDITOR. Ivii

Northampton, brother to the late King^s widow. He had
prosecuted a suit against his wife in the Ecclesiastical
Courts for adultery, and had obtained a sentence in his
favour: but it was disputed, whether this sentence amounted
only to a simple separation a mensa et toro^ or whether it
implied also an absolute release a vinculo matrimonii^ so as
to enable him to contract a second marriage. The matter
was referred to a board of delegates, consisting of Cranmer
and nine others. The Archbishop, according to his usual
practice, seems to have laboured to collect the best autho-
rities on the subject. A considerable number of these are
still preserved in the Lambeth Library c, partly in his own
handwriting, partly in that of a secretary, together with a
summary of the chief arguments f by which the two opin-
ions might be respectively supported. The authorities were
probably collected by himself. The arguments were per-
haps supplied either by the advocates, or by some of the
delegates who took opposite views of the question : for they
were manifestly composed by two distinct and contending
parties. The manuscript is closed by eight Queries on the
subject, accompanied by AnswersS. The means here afforded

« Lambeth Library, 1108.

^ An abstract of these may be seen in Burnet, Refot'mat, vol. ii.
p. 117. But the reader must be warned against an impression which
may probably be left by Burnet's statement, that Cranmer was from
the first in favour of the dissolubility of the marriage bond. The final
decision indeed, was on this side, but his scattered notes and under-
linings prove that he originally leant to the other.

8 These Questions and Answers, which have been already printed by
Burnet, are subjoined. The four first Queries are in the handwriting
of Cranmer.

** 1. Quid dirimit matrimonii vinculum ?

** 3. Quas ob causas dirimi poterit ?

** 3. An dirimi poterit conjugium a thoro, non a vinculo ?

*' 4. Quibus casibus possit sic dirimi ?

*^ 5. An exceptio ilia (excepta fomicatumis causa) etiam in Lucas,
'* Marci et Pauli locis, qui de his rebus tractant, est subaudienda ?

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Iviii PREFACE OF

of ascertaining Cranmer'*s sentiments, are not very abun-
dant. From some short remarks however, which he has
inserted in various parts of it, and from the passages under-
lined, to all appearance by his pen, it seems to have been
his first impression to adhere to the opinion expressed by
him some years before to Osiander**, that the marriage
bond was indissoluble. But he must either have seen rea-
son to change this impression, or the matter must have been
determined by the majority of votes : for the delegates de-
cided, that the conjugal knot was so completely rent asunder

<< 6. An etiam uxor, repudiata propter adulterium, alii possit nu-
" bere ?

'< 7. An redire ad priorem maritum repudiata; adulters liceat?

** 8. An maritus, propter adulterium, ab uxore casta possit repu-
« diari ?

" Ad primam respondemus ; Ipso adulterii facto matrimonii vincu-
'< lum dirimi. Nam alioquin, ob solum adulterium non liceret viro ui-
*^ orem repudiare s voluntas viri solicitat judices, judices palam faciunt
" ecclesiae, virum licite talem repudiare uxorem.

" Ad secundam resp. Quod ob solam causam stupri dirimitur ma-
'' trimonii vinculum : cujus ipso quidem facto, conjugii dissolvitur do-
'' dus, et loquimur de his, qui sacrooancti matrimonii jus agnoscunt.

''Ad tertiam resp. Quod non ; quia Mulier quamdiu vixerit, alligaia
*' est viro, Rom. vii; item, Nefraudetis vos invicem, 1 Cor. vii; item in
** eodem loco, Uxori vir debitam benevolentiam reddat similiter, et uxor
" viro ; item, Vir non hahet potestatem sui corporis, sed iixor : similiter
" nee uxor habet potestatem sui corporis, sed vir.

" Ad quartam patet in responsione ad tertiam.

"Ad quiutam respondemus; Quod exceptio ista, viz. nisi causa
'* stupri, est subaudienda in Luca, Marco et Paulo : alioquin manifesta
" esset pugnuntia inter Matthsum et eos.

" Ad sextam respond. Quod repudiata propter adulterium, quia
" uxor repudiantis desiit esse, ob idque libera est, sicut alis omnes post
" obitum virorum, potest alii nubere, aequo jure juxta illud Pauli, Si
" non continent, contrahant tnatrimonium, 1 Cor. vii.

" Ad septimam respond. Quod non licet repudiate adulters redire
" ad repudiantem, tanquam alligata ei jugi vinculo matrimonii.

" Xntima questio ad nos nihil.'' MSS. Lamb. Libr. 1108. fol. 180.
169.

^ Letter cclx. p. 304.

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THE EDITOR. lix

by adultery, as to establish the lawfulness of another mar-
riage. And the Marquis of Northampton was in conse-
quence authorized to cohabit with a second wife, whom he
had thought fit to marry pending the deliberations '\

No other production by Cranmer, dated in the year 1648, Articles of
now remains to be noticed, besides the Articles of Inquiry
issued at his Visitation. These are the earliest Articles of
Inquiry by him that have been discovered, though probably
he had circulated many on former similar occaaons. With
regard to InyunciionSy to which such Articles were usually
preparatory, we are rather more fortunate. Besides those
of Crumwell in 1536 and 1588, and of King Edward in
1547, (all of which are supposed, with reason, to have had
the benefit of his assistance,) we possess others sent in his
own name to the diocese of Hereford, during the vacancy
of the see in 1588^. These however are very short, being
apparently a mere supplement to the Injunctions already
published under Royal authority, which they order to be
observed with " all diligence and faithful obedience.^ The
points chiefly insisted on in them, are the study of the
Bible both by clergy and laity; the distinction between
works commanded by God, and those which are done *^ of
** men^^s own will and devotion ;'' the restraint on the preach-
ing of friars and other members of religious orders ; the
preparation for receiving the sacrament ; and the importance
of the bond of matrimony. The proceedings on his Visita-
tion in 1548 have met with a different fate. Here the /n-
junctians * are lost, but the Articles of Inquiry are preserved.

^ This second marriage was farther confirmed four years afterwards
by an Act of Parliament, but was annulled in the reign of Mary. Tlie
bond of matrimony however, according to the decision of these dele-
gates, was still held to be dissoluble by the Ecclesiastical Courts till
1603, when a contrary judgment was given by Bancroft in the case of
Foljambe. 3 Salk. 138.

k Vol. ii. p. 19.

1 Itijunciioru were certainly given by the Archbishop either at this

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Ix PREFACE OF

These are eighty-six in number, and enter with great mi-
nuteness into the conduct both of the clergy and the laity.
A considerable proportion of them seem to have been framed
for the purpose of ascertaining how far the King^s Injunc-
tions of the preceding year had been observed, and may be
considered to point out those parts of them which were
obeyed with the greatest reluctance. The new subjects of
examination now introduced, have a different, though not
less important use. They serve to mark the progress of
reformation, both by reference to recent improvements, and
by their notice of such abuses as in the former Visitation it
had been thought fit to overlook. Questions, for instance,
were asked respecting the performance of divine service at
convenient hours, and the use of the new Communion Book :
and various superstitious practices^ untouched by the pre-
vious Injunctions, were inquired into with a view to their
suppression.

Visitation Another Visitation by Archbishop Cranmer, of which
ofthe . , ^ , ; , , .

Chapter of some memonais are extant, was held two years later, in

bunrT^ September 1550. He then however visited, not his diocese,
but the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury ; a body with
which he had already been much connected, having taken
an active part in remodelling it in 1540^, and having also
interpreted a doubtful statute in 1546 ">. The Inquiries ^
of a collegiate were of course more limited in their charac-
ter than those of a diocesan Visitation ; but they will be
found to display the same anxiety to extirpate superstitious
practices, to repress strife, idleness, and immorality, and to
promote ** true religion and useful learning.^ It may be

or some other diocesan Visitation shortly afterwards, as they are re-
ferred to in those which he delivered to the Chapter of Canterbury two
years later. See Vol. ii. p. 300.

* See Letter ccliv.

"» Letter cclxvii ; Strype, Cranmer, p. 88.

tt Vol. ii. p. 196.

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THE EDITOR. Ixi

presumed, from the brevity of the Injunctions^ which fol-
lowed them, that the Chapter was on the whole in a satis-
factory state of discipline. These relate chiefly to the ob-
servance of the Injunctions already devised either by the
King or himself, to the regulations for preaching and for
the administration of the communion, to the management
of the grammar school, and to the restriction of the inter-
course between the precinct of the Church and the city P.

The year 1549 called for the exertions of Cranmer on a losurrec-
very different field from that on which he had been hitherto ^°' '^^^*
employed. Instead of maturing schemes of reformation, he
was now obliged to write against rebellion; alarming in-
surrections having broken out in most parts of England.
These seem to have originated partly in political and partly
in reli^ous feelings ^. The gentry, particularly those who
had shared in the spoils of the dissolved monasteries, were
exceedingly unpopular. Their mode of managing their
newly acquired property was contrasted, much to their dis-
advantage, with that of the ecclesiastics whom they had
succeeded. They were accused of being more rigorous in
the exaction of rents, and less liberal in the distribution of
alms. And their general conduct, but especially their eager-
ness for the enclosure of commons, was said to betray a
total disregard for the welfare of the poor, and a care for
nothing but their own immediate profit and pleasure. The
discontent arising from these causes was still farther aggra-
vated by the recent innovations in religion. The ancient
system, addressing itself to the senses, rather than to the
understanding or the heart, and insisting more upon out-
ward observances than inward holiness, was well calculated

o Vol. ii. p. 200.

P Both the Articles and the Inj unctions of this Visitation are now
first printed from manuscripts at the British Museum and Corpus Christi
College, Cambridge.

<i Holinshed, vol. iii. p. 1003. 1028; Voxa, Acis, 6cc. vol.ii. p. 665;
Strype, Cranmer, p. 185 ; Memorials, vol. ii. p. 166.

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Ixii PREFACE OF

to captivate a rude and ignorant people ; and without doubt
possessed a strong hold on their affections. Hence there
were large numbers of the lower orders, who were filled
with horror and indignation, on finding the ceremonies to
which they trusted for salvation, condemned by the govern-
ment as idle and superstitious. It was not difficult for the
ejected monks to kindle such angry feelings into open re-
bellion: and accordingly the peasantry rose in almost all
directions for the redress, as they alleged, of their wrongs.
Insurrec- Some of these risings were quickly put down : but others,
Tonshire. that broke out in Devonshire and Norfolk, being more
widely extended and better organized than the rest, as-
sumed a very formidable character. These were distin-
guished from each other by the different nature of the al-
leged grievances. The rebels in the West clamoured chiefly
for the restoration of the old religion : those of Norfolk for
the amendment of the commonwealth'. The complaints
of the former are preserved in two instruments successively
presented to the King; the first consisting of Eight* Articles,

^ lliough these were the general characteristics of the two insurrec-
tions, there were of course political malcontents in the Western camp,
and religious ones in that of Norfolk. Foxe gives the following account
of the divisions among the Devonshire rebels : " At length, laying their
" traitorous heads together, they consulted upon certain articles to be
** sent up. But herein such diversity of heads and wits was amongst
<* them, that for every kind of brain there was one manner of article ;
** so that there neither appeared any consent in their diversity, nor yet
'* any constancy in their agreement. Some seemed more tolerable.
** Other altogether unreasonable. Some would have no justice. Some
<* would have no state of gentlemen. The priests ever harped upon one
*^ string, to ring in the Bishop of Rome into £ngland again, and to
*' halloo home Cardinal Poole, their countryman. After much ado, and
** little to the purpose, at last a few sorry articles were agreed upon."
Acts and Monuments, vol. ii. p. 666. The preponderating influence of
the priests is sufficiently manifest from the character of these Articles,
which demand almost exclusively the redress of religious grievances.

* Holinshed calls them nine, Burnet eight, Strype seven; but the Ar-
ticles are in each case the same, being only differently arranged.

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THE EDITOR. Ixin

the second < of Fifteen. These documents, beades their ira-
pc»tance in other respects, are valuable as an unquestionable
authority for ascertaining, both what was most r^retted in
the abrogated Romish ritual, and what was most offensiye
in the system established in its stead. The points on which
a return to the ancient practice was most earnestly pressed",
were the private Latin mass ; the worshipping of the host ;
the distribution of the sacrament at Easter alone to the laity,
and then but in one kind ; the administration of baptism on
the week days, as well as on the holydays ; the use of holy
bread and holy water, of palms, ashes, images, and all other
ancient ceremonies ; and the praying for souls in purgatory.
The innovations which occasioned the most bitter complaints,
were the introduction of the new English Service, ** because
«< it was but like a Christmas game ;^ and the circulation
of the English Bible, because it would disable the clergy
from ^^ confounding the heretics.'" Bendes the redress of
these evils, the rebels demanded also, that all the holy de-
<n-ees of Greneral Councils and of their forefathers should be
observed ; that Henry VIII.^s Act of the Six Articles should
be again enforced ; that half of the lands of the dissolved
abbeys should be surrendered for the purpose of founding
new establishments; that gentlemen should be limited in
the number of their servants ; that Cardinal Pole should be
pardoned and admitted to the Privy Council ; and that their
local grievances should be arranged to the satisfaction of
their representatives, Humphry Arundel, and Bray, the
Mayor of Bodmin.

Such was the substance of the two addresses from Devon-

' Strype speaks of a third supplication sent to tlie King, to which an
answer was made by the King's learned counsel. But neither the sup-
plication nor the answer appears to be extant ; and perhaps the passage
in Foxe, (vol. ii. p. 669.) from which Strype derived his information,
may relate to the Fifteen Articles and Cranmer's Reply.

« Vol. ii. p. 202, &c.

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Ixiv PREFACE OF

shire. The first, of Eight Articles, was answered by a long
message from Edward VI ; in which , though he ^^ descended
'^ from his high majesty, and was cpntent to send them in-
^^ strucUon like a father, when of justice he might have sent
" them destructions like a King ;*" he yet threatened, that
if they did not ^^ repent themselves, and take his mercy
** without delay, he would forthwith extend his princely
** power, and execute his sharp sword against them ^.'^ It
was however no easy matter to carry this threat into execu-
tion : for at the date of this message the rebels were in such
force before Exeter, that it was very doubtful whether Lord
Russel, who had been sent against them, would be able to
Answer to save the city. The Fifteen Articles which formed their second
thirc rebels, remonstrance, received a full reply from CranmerJ. At the
time when he wrote it, the aspect of affairs had undergone a
great change. The insurgents had been partially, if not
totally defeated, and the two leaders, whom they had nomi-
nated to negotiate for them, were prisoners, and in danger
of their lives ^. And it seems to have been his object to
recall the dispersed fugitives to obedience, by convincing them
that their complaints were frivolous, and by thus shaking
their confidence in the popish priests by whom they had
been misled. At all events his Answer was admirably suited
for such a purpose. He exposed in it the ignorance and
folly of their Articles with a force of reasoning and plain-
ness of speech, which could scarcely fail to make them
ashamed both of themselves and their advisers. He proved
to them, that what they venerated as ancient ceremonies,

* Foxe, Act* and MonumentSf vol. ii. p. 666,
y Vol. ii. p. 202.

* This is clear from Cranmer's reply to their last Article. (Vol. ii.
p. 244.) Yet Burnet (and he has been followed in his error by other
writers) places the Fifteen Articles earlier in the rebellion than tlie Eight,
and supposes that Crauoier's Answer induced the insui^gents to mode-
rate their demands. Reformat, vol. ii. p. 241.

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THE EDITOR. Ixv

had been invented in comparatively modern times; and that
what they condemned as modem innovation, was nothing
more than a return to the primitive practice. And in some
cases he pointed out, that the demands put into their mouths
by their counsellors, had not even been so contrived as to be
consistent with each other. It is difficult perhaps to con-
ceive a more triumphant refutation. And this refutation,
it will be recollected, comprised some of the leading charac-
teristics of the old religion. No direct attack indeed was
made on the peculiar doctrines of Rome, though some of
their main defences were incidentally assailed with vigour.
But the blow fell heavily on numerous practical observ-
ances, which had hitherto constituted great part of the de-
votion both of priests and people, and which were generally
conindered by them as absolutely necessary for obtaining
the favour of God. That they were really viewed in this
light, may fairly be inferred from their being brought for-
ward so conspicuously to justify rebellion. Without doubt
the rites and customs claimed by the Devonshire papists at
the risk of their lives, were believed to be of essential ser-
vice to their souls : and in describing the forms of worship
which they desired to revive, they were giving an accu-
rate representation of what religion had formerly been in
this country, and what in their judgments it still ought to
be. The picture they have drawn may not perhaps include
every part of the subject, but, as far as it goes, it can
scarcely fail of being a just resemblance. It may be said
indeed, that bdng designed by an unskilful hand, it does
not present a pleasing likeness. But the likeness, if not
pleanng, may be faithful ; and, though the work of a coarse
pencil, may be a more exact delineation of the prominent
features, than would have been executed by a dexterous and
experienced artist. At any rate, the portrait was sketched
by a friend ; by one who could have no desire to expose
deformities: and if therefore this has happened, it was be-
yoL. I. f

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Ixvi PREFACE OF

cause, with many of his contemporaries, he mistook them
for beauties.
iDsurrec- The Norfolk insurrection^ though it broke out about the
Norfolk, same time, diflPered much in character, as has been already
stated, from that in Devonshire. In this instance the rebels
were silent on religious, but loud on political grievances.
Such matters, it might be supposed, fell less within the de-
partment of the Archbishop : yet he was called on for his
assistance, being nominated, as Burnet relates % to preach
at Court on a fast-day appointed on account of the disturb-
Sermon on ances. The Sermon, said by the same author to have been
1549 ^^^ delivered, is still preserved, and has been now first

printed^ from a manuscript at Corpus Christi College,
Cambridge. The mode in which it seems to have been
composed, is sufficiently Angular. The Archbishop took it
in great measure from a Latin sermon by Peter Martyr,
and this again appears to have been constructed on some
rough notes by the Archbishops^. It is interesting, both
because no other discourse preached by Cranmer is extant,
and because it contains some curious particulars respecting
the origin and progress of the prevailing discontent. In
treating this subject, he mixed up some severe reproofs of
the higher orders with his condemnation of the seditious
populace. He argued on the one hand, with much force,
against the sin of rebellion in general, and against ^Hbe
** sturdy beggars and ruffians'' who were the prime movers
in the present insurrection : he proved incontrovertibly, that
to place power in the hands of the low and ignorant men
who were clamouring for it, was a most mistaken method of
effecting a reform. But on the other hand he did not deny,
that some reform was necessary, that some bounds were re-

» Hist, of Reformat, vol. ii. p. 244.
b Vol. ii. p. 248.

c For some further details respecting this Sermon, see Vol. ii. p. 248,
note.

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THE EDITOR. Ixvu

quired to the grasfmig rapacity of the gentry, who ** through
^^ covetouniess of jmning Und to land and enclosures to en-
** cloaures, had wronged and oppressed a great multitude
^* oi the King^s faithful subjects.'" There seems, fitnn such
expressions as these, to have been much truth in the popular
cry, that the landowners who had enriched themselves with
ecdeaastical spoils, instead of pursuing a more liberal sys-
tem of management than their predecessors, were chiefly
intent upon extracting from their new possessions the largest
possible revenue.

The date at which we are now arrived, brings us to the Contro-
consideration of Cranmer^s writings on the Eucharist; forJ^'Ei^.
in 1650 he pubUshed his Defence of the True and Caiholic^^^'
Doctrine of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our
Saviour Christ. The questions discussed in this work,
have of late years been often treated as purely q)eculative,
and therefore as deserving of little attention. But even if
such a view of them be now correct, (which may^ well be
doubted,) it certainly was not so at the period of the Re-
formadon. The corrupt doctrines of the Church of Rome
on the Eucharist were then by no means confined to mere
theory. No single error perhaps gave rise to a greater
number of superstitious practices <i, or was more efficacious
in upholding the domineering influence of the clergy,
than that of transubstantiation. It led by easy steps to
the belief, that the priest could make a Redeemer, could
offer this Redeemer as a propitiatory sacrifice, and could
distribute the benefits of this sacrifice to whomsoever he
would, whether living or dead ^. Such inferences, it is clear,

* See Vol. ii. p. 44S.

^ The followini^ is the language of Bradford on this point : '< It mak-
*' eth the priest that sajeth mass, God's fellow, and better than Christ,
** for the offerer is always better or equivalent to the thing offered. If
** therefore the priest take upon him there to offer up Christ, as they
** boldly affirm they do, then must he needs be better or equal with

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kvui PREFACE OF

were far from bang wholly theoretical. For no honours
could be too great for an order of men possesang such ex-
traordinary powers^ no price could be too high for securing
their intercession. Hence was this tenet, notwithstanding
its manifold difficulties, most obstinately defended by the
Church of Rome : and hetice too did Cranmer earnestly
ask, in the Preface to his Defhice^ ^^ what it availed to take
*^ away beads, pardons, pilgrimages, and such other like
*« popery, so long as two chief roots remained unpuUed up.^
These roots he explained to be, ^^ the popish doctrines of
^* transubstantiation . • . and of the sacrifice and oblation of
^* Christ made by the priest for the salvation of the quick
** and the dead : which roots, if they be suffered to grow in
'* the Lord'^s vineyard, they will overspread all the ground
*^ again with the old errors and superstitions ^7*
Refonners But it was not only from its bearings on the great con-

dirided on • i i • i ■ •

thUsubjecttroversy Fith the papists^ that so much importance was at-
tached to the question of the Eucharist. It also derived
additional interest from the dissensions which it had unhap-
pily caused among the Reformers themselves. They all
indeed agreed in rejecting the Romish tenet of transubstan-
tiation, with the various practical abuses that followed in its
train: but CEcolampadius, Zuingle, and the Swiss divines

" Christ. Oh that thcj would show but one jot of the Scripture of
'' God calling tliem to this dignity, or of their authority to offer up
'^ Christ for the quick and dead, aud to apply the benefit and virtue of
*^ his death and passion to whom they will. Surely if this were true, as
<< it is most false and blasphemous, prate they at tlieir pleasure to the
^ contrary, then it made no matter at all, whether Christ were our
'< friend or no, if so be the mass-priest were our friend ; for he cau
<< apply us Christ's merits by his mass, if he will, and when he will, and
" therefore we need little to care for Christ's friendship. They can
** make Him, when they will and where tliey will." Letters of the Mar-
tyrs, p. 347. See also Defence, &c. (Vol. ii. pp. 287. 312. 336. 451,
&;c. 460, &CC.)
f Vol. ii. p. 289.

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THE EDITOR. Ixix

rejected also the Corporal Presences of Christ in the conse-
crated elements; while Luther and his followers persisted
in maintaining it. This dispute commenced on the conti-
nent in 1524, and was carried on there with much warmth :
but it does not seem to have attracted much attention in
England before 1533. It is known indeed that the English
Reformers at an early date were divided on the subject;
and in a country deeply impregnated with the doctrines of
Wiclif, the views of Zuingle may be supposed to have
found many partisans : but it is probable that they were ex- Cnation of
tremely cautious in their language, contenting themselves sacra-^ *
with preaching, according to Tyndale^s advice to Frith *>, "*•***•""•

S Tbe deniers of the Corporal Presence were saMivided into those
who held a Spiritual Presence with a participation in the benefits of
Christ's death by the faithful receiver, and those who, asserting the
Eucharibt to be a bare commemorative rite, admitted no sort of Pre-
sence whatever. It is a question to which of these parties Zuingle
belonged. Mosheim and his English translator rank him with the lat-
ter; {Ecclei. Hist. Cent. xvi. sect. i. §. 21. sect. iii. part ii. §. 10.)
Hospinian and Fueslin with the former. Hospinian appeals to the tes-
timony of Peter Martyr. After an account of the success with which
that reformer confuted the Romish and Lutheran tenets on this subject,
be thus analyses the continuation of his argument : ^* Duabus his opi-
** nionibus prorsus confbtatis, accedit ad tertiam, cujus auctores et pa-
** troni statuunt, symbola cum rebus per solam ac nudam significatio-
** nem sic conjungi, ut pneter signa inania nihil in Eucharistia reliquom
'< faciant. Quam opinionem coroplures nostra state viri docti confi-
** denter quidem, sed tamen impudenter Zuinglio tribuunt. Nam, ut
** in bac tractatioue scribit Martyr, libri Zuinglii ab ipso editi, testes
'* sunt locupletissimi^eum signa ponere in Eucharistiae Sacramento mi-
** nime vacua, miniraeque inania.** Hospuiian, Hitt. Sacr, vol. ii. p. 910.
(1602.) See also Peter Martyr, Tractat. de Eucharist, pp. 664. 659.
(1562.) The following is the statement of Fueslin : *' Ut nihil ^^ssi-
*' mulero, fuerunt Tiguri quidam eruditi,qui panem et vinum in S.Ccena
« commemorativa tantum signa mortis Christi esse contenderent. Zuin-
*' glius contra, ne se a contraria sentientibus totum abalienaret, ad
** Spiritualem aliguam et Sacramentalem, nt vocavit, prstsentiam corpo-
^ ris Christiy aninutque manducationem in fide cogitationein transtulit.*'
^ref. Epist, Reformat. Helvet. Fueslin. p. xv. Tiguri, 1742.

^ <' Of the presence of Christ's body in tlie sacrament, meddle as

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secutioD.

Ixx PREFACE OF

" the right use^' of the sacrament, and leaving the Presence
as " an indiflTerent thing, till the matter might be reasoned
" in peace at leisure of both parties.'' And they could
pursue this line of conduct without any dereliction of prin-
ciple, if like the above-named martyrs, they did not consider
the case to involve any " necessary article of faith >.'"
Their per- But the silence which they may themselves have wished
to preserve, was not permitted by their Romish persecutors.
The denial of the Corporal Presence was a heresy, at once
so definite and so unpopular, that the adversaries of the
New Learning left no means untried for its detection. It
was in viun that the Sacramentaries ^, as they were call-
ed, avoided all public discussion of the subject: evidence
against them was sought for in private papers, intended
only for the use of friends, and obtained by treachery.
And although they had previously been unwilling to dis-
close their opinions, they did not, when they were thus dis-
covered, shrink from avowing them*. Such at least was the

<< little as you can, that there appear no division among us. Barnes
'* will be hot against you. . . . George Joy would have put forth a trea-
** tise on that matter, but I have stopped him as yet. . . . My mind is,
*< that nothing be put forth till we hear how you have sped. I would
" have the right use preached, and the Presence to be an indifferent
" thing, till the matter might be reasoned in peace at leisure of both ,
<< parties.'* Tyndale to Frith, in Foxe, Acts and Monuments, vol. ii.
p. 369.

^ The following is Frith's declaration : << I think many men wonder
<< how I can die in this article, seeing that it is no necessary article of
** our faith ; for I grant that neither part is an article necessary to be
** beUeved under pain of damnation. . . .

<'^ The cause of my death is this ; because I cannot in conscience
'< abjure and swear, that our prelates' opinion of the Sacrament ... is
** an undoubted article of the faith necessary to be believed under pain
" of damnation.'' Articles toherefore John Frith died, Frith's Works, ed.
Russell, vol. iii. p. 454.

^ This name seems to have been applied to all who denied the Cor-
poral Presence, whatever was the doctrine which they substituted
for it.

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THE EDITOR. Ixxi

conduct of one of their leaders, John Frith. He had been Johu Frith.
*< loth to take the matter in hand,*" and at last had only
consented <* to touch this terrible tragedy*" at the ^* instant
^^ intercesnon of a Christian brother.^ But when his treatise
was perfidiously communicated to the Lord Chancellor, Sir
T. More, he firmly refused to retract a syllable, though, as
he but too truly foresaw, ^^ besides his painful imprisonment,
'* it purchased him most cruel death ^^

The proceedings against this young but learned divine. Hit exa-
afford the earhest information extant respecting the senti-^*^^°
ments of Cranmer on the Eucharist Though he was nei-^*'*"™*'''
ther originally imprisoned, nor finally sentoiced by the
Archl»shop, he underwent a long examination before him
and other Commisaoners at Croydon. He is related by
Foxe to have shown himself on that occasion ^^ passing ready
^ and ripe in answering all objections,^ and in particular to
have appealed with great success to the authority of Au-
gustine and other ancient Fathers. And the Archbishop is
said by the same writer to have observed to Hethe, at the
dose of the examination^ ^^ This man hath wonderfully tra-
« vailed in this matter, and yet in mine opinion he taketh
^ the doctors amiss '".'" But in the account of his appear-
ance given by Cranmer himself^, he is not noticed in such
favourable terms. He is there styled "one Fryth,^ and
his opinion is described as being '^ so notably erroneous, that
^^ they could not dispatch him, but were fain to leave him
" to the determination of his Ordinary, the Bishop of Lon-
*^ don.^ His said opinion is then stated to have been '^ of such
*' nature that he thought it not necessary to be believed as
" an article of our faith, that there is the very corporal
^* presence of Christ within the Host and sacrament of the

> See Frith's Preface to his Answer to Mor^s Letter, Frith*s Work»,
ed. Russell, vol. iii. p. 77.

^ Foxe, Acts and Monuments, vol. iii. p. 991.
" Letter to Archdeacon Hawkyns, (vol. i. p. 32.)

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Jxxii PREFACE OF

^^ Altar, and holdeth on this point most after the opinion of
^^ (Ecolampadius.*" It appears however from the same pas-
sage, that the Archbishop was sufficiently interested about
him to ^^ send for him three or four times to persuade him
^^ to leave that his imagination ; but for all that they could
" do therein, he would not apply to any counsel.*^ The
His death, lamentable issue of his constancy was, that being delivered
over by Stokesley to the secular magistrate as an obstinate
heretic, he suffered in Smithfield on the 4th of July,
1533.

His death seems to have added fuel to the flames both of
controversy and of persecution. His friends now laid aside
the reserve which they had hitherto mainttuned, and fol-
lowed up with spirit his dispute with Sir T. More. And on
the other side exertions were not spared to suppress the cir-
culation of his heretical tenets by the strong arm of power.
The favour shown by Henry VIII. to some of the new
opinions was in no degree extended to the denial of the
Corporal Presence. The Sacramentaries were classed with
the Anabaptists, and treated with the same severity. The
Archbishop was often compelled by his station to be a party
to these proceedings^, and must therefore have been pre-
sent at many of the theological discussions which were oc-

<> It may be abundantly proved that Cranmer, though not sufficiently
in advance of his times to give up the principle of persecution, was yet
continually exerting himself to mitigate its rigour. He usually endea-
voured to reason the prisoners into a recantation of their obnoxious
tenets, or at least into such an explanation of them as might screen
them from punishment; and it is said, that sometimes, in despair of
saving their lives by other means, he secretly furthered their escape.
See Vol. i. p. 951; and Foxe, Acts and Monumenttf vol. iii. p. 989, 6cc.
vol. ii. p. 558. We need not be surprised that he was driven to such
expedients, since James V, King of Scotland, about this time, was un-
able to save one near relation from death, and another from exile, when
charged with heresy, and could only avert the danger from his aunt
by persuading her to recant. See Vol. i. p. 166 ; and Foxe, Acti, &c.
vol. ii. p. 338.

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THE EDITOR. Ixxiii

casioned by them. In one instance, that of Lambert, he Lambert,
was commanded to bear a part in a public disputation in
Westminster Hall, where Henry presided in person. Lit-
tle information however can be collected from thence re-
specting his opinions : for he did not enter into the general
question, contenting himself with an attempt to establish the
possibility of Christ'^s body being in many places at once.
In this attempt he succeeded so ill, and became so much
*' entangled,"*^ that Gardyner thought fit to interrupt the
order of debate, and take the argument on himself P. A '
similar embarrassment occurred to him at another examina-
tion in 1641. One Barber, Master of Arts of the Univer- Barber,
sity of Oxford, " was so stout,^ as Foxe relates, ** in the
^' cause of the sacrament, and so learnedly defended him-
'^ self therein, that . . . neither Cranmer himself, nor all they
^^ that were with him, could well answer to his allegations
*' out of Augustine : wherein he was so prompt and ripe of
'* himself, that the Archbishop, with the residue of his
^' company, were brought in great admiration of him ^i."*^

A question which was thus continually giving rise tocraomer't
charges of heresy, and which was a^tated between Lutheran ^f a^^^-
and Sacramentary with as much heat as between Romanist Jlf***"**
and Reformer, would have forced itself on the attention of
an Archbishop less inquisitive and less industrious than
Cranmer. It may therefore be imagined to have been
most carefully studied, by one who was so anxious to dis-
cover the truth, and so indefatigable in searching for it.
And some remains of the investigation which we may con-
ceive him to have pursued about this period, still exist in
his manuscript Collections in the British Museum. In
these Collections, consisting of a vast number of quotations

»
P Cranmer*8 part in this disputation will be found. Vol. iv. p. 95.

A full account uf the wliole may be seen in Foxe, Acts and Manumentt,

vol. ii. p. 426, &c. It took place in 1538.
<i Foxe, Aet$ and Monumfnttf vol. ii. p. 537.

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Ixxiv PREFACE OF

on various theological subjeets^ the Extracts on the Eu-
charist occupy a very considerable space. They are taken
not only from the works of the Fathers and other ancient
authors, but also from the recent controversial writings of
the Lutherans and Zuinglians : and it may be inferred
from some short marginal notes, and from the passages
HisopiD- underlined, that when ^ he extracted them, he was a be-
McctiDirthe'^®^^^ '" ^^^ Corporal Presence at least, if not in Transub-
Eucharist. stantiation. It is precisely such a body of authorities, as
* he may be fancied to have just completed, when he de-
clared to Vadianus, that he had seen nearly every thing
which had been published either by Zuingle or (Ecolampa-
dius^ and that notwithstanding, he still held the ancient and
catholic faith respecting the true presence of Christ'^s body
\ in the sacrament ^

It is perhaps the most obvious inference both from his
Collection of Authorities and his I^etter to Vadianus, that
Cranmer, at this time, held the received doctrine of Tran-
substantiation in its full extent : and this point must be ad-
mitted to be clearly established, if he really uttered the
words ascribed to him at his Examination before Brokes in
1555, But, as is shown elsewhere s, the report of that Ex-
amination is of very doubtful credit ; and there are strong
reasons for believing, that for some portion at least of Henry
Probably at VII I. "^s reign his tenets on the Eucharist were Lutheran.
Lutheran. ^^ ^^ difficult to explain on any other supposition ^ the ex-
pressions of a Letter to Crumwell, dated the 15th of Au-
gust 1538, little more than a month after Lambert^s death.
In this Letter, after stating that Adam Damplip, who was
charged with being a Sacramentary, declared in his defence,

^ One of the citations is from a work published by Sir John Cheke in
1543 ; but most of them were probably collected at an earlier date.

*■ Letter cLxxxvii.

• See Examination before Brokes, Vol. iv. p. 87. note (h) p. 88.
note (i) p. 98. p. 99. note (a).

' See a notice of Mr. Todd's explanation^ Vol. i. p. 257.

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THE EDITOR. Ixxv

that he had ever confessed the very body and blood of Christ
to be present in the Sacrament of the Altar, and had only
^* confuted the opinion of the transubstantiadon,'" Cranmer
adds the remark, " and therein I think he taught but the
'* truth.*" This surely is the language of one who, though
still a believer in the Corporal Presence, had given up the
monstrous doctrine of Transubstantiation. And that he
did not attain the truth at once, but by successive steps,
he himself declared in his Answer to Smythe's Prefuce,
*^ I confess of myself,^ he there says, ^^ that not long before I
*^ wrote the said Catechism, I was in that error of the Real
'^ Presence, as I was many years past in divers other errors,
^* as of Transubstantiation, of the sacrifice propitiatory of
** the priests in the Mass^, &c. . . . But after it had pleased
^* God to show unto me by his holy word a more perfect
^' knowledge of his Son Jesus Christ, from time to time as I
<' grew in knowledge of him, by little and little I put away
*' my former ignorance. And as God of his mercy gave
** me light, so through his grace I opened mine eyes to
** receive it, and did not wilfully repugn unto God and re*
** main in darkness.**^ It may be observed also, that in the
negotiations carried on with the Lutherans under his di-
rection in 1585" and 1588, there appears to have been
little difficulty in coming to an agreement on this head.
And it is a remarkable fact, that the several Formularies of
Faith to which he was a. party under Henry VIII, while
they maintain most unequivocally the Corporal Presence,
yet all fall short of any explicit assertion of Transubstan-
tiation. Even the Necessary Doctrine^ which is justly con-
sidered to be the most favourable to the Church of Rome,
though it teaches that the bread and wine ^^ do not remain
** in their own substance, but by virtue of Christ^s word in

* Vol. iii. p. 13.

^ See above, p. xxi ; and Seckendorf, Comment, de Lutheran, lib. iii.
§. XXXIX. Add.

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Ixxvi PREFACE OF

**' the consecration, be changed and turned to the very sub-
^^ stance of the body and blood of our Saviour Jesus
" Christ * C yet does not go the full length of pronouncing,
that ^^ after the consecration there remaineth no substance
^^ of bread and wine, nor any other substance but the sub-
" stance of Christ."" And yet these are the terms, by which it
has been thought necessary to guard the Romish tenet from
misinterpretation, and in which it had been expressed four
years before in the noted Act of the Six Articles y. Their
omission therefore in the present instance could not have
been caused by a want of due attention to precision of Ian-
guage: it must rather be attributed to the opposition of
Cranmer, and this opposition may be presumed to have
arisen from his having embraced the Lutheran view of the
question, and from his being consequently anxious for the
article to be so drawn up as not to contradict it.

Upon the whole then, notwithstanding the objections
of some well informed modern writers 2, we may perhaps
safely adhere to the conclusion of our older historians*,
that Cranmer^s first change on the Eucharist was from the
Cranmer's tenets of Rome to those of Luther. The next point to be
ofTi^ ^"^ ascertained, is his final transition to the doctrines of the
Lutheran Church of England. This was eflFected chiefly by Ridley :
who having been convinced by reading the treatise of Ber-
tram, that there was no such uninterrupted tradition on this
head as had been pretended, communicated his convictions
to Cranmer. " He did confer with me,'' the Archbishop is
reported to have said, ^^ and by sundry persuasions and au-
" thorities of doctors drew me quite from my opinion *>."
The precise date of this conversion is stated in the Preface

« Formularies of Faith, p. 263. Oxford, 1825.
y See above, p. xxv; and Vol. ii. p. 308.

» Wordsworth, Eccles. Bwgr. vol. iii. p. 550 ; Todd, Life of Cranmer,
vol. i. p. 265.
* Foxe, Burnet, Strype.
^ Examination before Brokes, Vo\, iv. p. 97.

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* THE EDITOB. Ixxvii

to the Embden edition of the. Dejftnce ^, to have been 1646,
the last year of Henry VIII.'s reign. But perhaps this
was the time, when Ridley began to " confer^ with him, and
not that at which he brought his conferences to a successful
termination. For the Archbishop was slow and cautious
in adopting new opinions : and with such a habit of mind
in general, it was particularly improbable, that he would
relinquish views embraced deliberately and after much
study, without entering afresh with scrupulous care into
the whole question. And perhaps it may be said that some
traces of this fresh examination still exist. Besides the Col-
lection of citations already mentioned, as preserved in the
British Museum, another is extant at Corpus Christi Col-
lege, Cambridge, which may be supposed to have been
compiled about this time ^. Like the former, it contains
several short notes S but these instead of being, as before,

c The author of this Preface, who is supposed to have been Sir John
Cheke, wrote thus : '' Ne quis autem putet hunc sanctum Dei marty-

** rem ad asserendam hauc de coena Dominica explicationem

'' Tel teraere vel factiose descendisse, neutiquam id te latere velim, pie
*' lector, hunc virum post multam Scripturarum pervestigationem, ex
^< unius bead martyris Ridlei fipiscopi London, institutione, sero tan-
<< dem (nimirum anno 46.) in eam quam hie tuetur sententiam ad-
<' ductum esse. Non mirum i|ptur cuiquam videri debet, si vir ille post
** multam cum doctissimis quibusque viris habitam concertationem,
<' post diligeutem Scripturarum omnium colladonem, et veterum scrip-
^ tomm excussam sententiam, hunc libel! um primo conscriptum evul-
'' gavit, deinde et in carcere recognovit, et sanguinis etiam profusione
'' ad postremum confirmare voluit.'' Preface to Drfence, &c. Embden,
155T.

d « There is a thin note-book," says Strype, " of this Archbishop's,
** with this dtle, wrote by his own hand, De re Sacramentaria ; which I
*^ verily believe are his meditations and conclusions, when he set him.
'< self accurately to examine the sacramental controversy, and fell off
<< from the opinion of the carnal presence.** Strype, Cranmer, p. 262.

« Some of these Notes with a forther account of the Collection, will
be found, Vol. ii. p. 291. It is right to add that the quotations con-
tained in it are not in Cranmer's handwriting. His pen can be traced
only in the heads under which they are arranged, and in some short

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Ixxviii PREFACE OF *

favourable to the Corporal Presence, are decidedly adverse
to it. It is indeed just such a manuscript, as might have
served the double purpose of enabling him to verify the
statements of Ridley, and of supplying him a few years
later with materials for the composition of his Defence.
His own expressions ^ relative to the date of the change are
not decisive ; but perhaps they agree best with the suppo-
sition, that after being shaken by Ridley, he took some time

remarks. But Strype apparently entertained no doubt of their being
the fruits of the Archbishop's own industry; and nothing indeed can be
more probable, than that he noted the authorities himself, though he
employed a secretary to copy them.

The description given by Peter Martyr of a digest seen by him, in
which Cranmer had arranged the authorities on the question under
various heads, will apply to either of the abovenamed Collections.
The description is contained in Martyr's Epistle dedicatory to Cran-
mer, prefixed to his Tractatio de EucharUlia in 1549, and is as follows.
^^ Controversiae hujus tantam peritiam habere Tuam Celsitudinem certo
** scio, quuntam in uUo alio difficile quis reperiat. NuUus profecto est
" ex patribus, quem non diligentissime observaris. Neque veterum aut
" recentiorum Hbri ulli extant, in quibus ego hisce oculis non viderim
** tua ipsius manu adnotatum, quicquid ad universam banc disputado-
^* nem pertinet. Concilia, Pontificum decreta qus hue spectant, ipse
** tan to labore, quoad hanc tractationem, in preecipua capita digessisti,
" ut bsec nisi testis oculatus deprehendissem, nunquam aliis narrantibus
'< facile fuissem crediturus. Neque hujus generis operam, studium,
'* laboremque solum in hoc Eucburistico negotio impendisti, verum
'^ idem quoque abs te factum observavi, quoad omnia fere alia dog-
'' mata, qus nostra hac aitate maxime sunt in controversia. Quam-
« obrem non opus fuit ut meum hunc libellum eo consilio tibi exhibe-
^' rem, ut ex eo aliquid novi cognosceres (cum ego potius majorem doc-
" trinae partem ex tuis laboribus hauserim) sed tantum ob id ad Tuam
" Celsitudinem hoc meum scriptum destinavi, quo tua censura (cum
<' jure et merito sis Primas totius Angiiae) de illo statueres, notaresque
" in eo quicquid a recto et orthodoxo sensu visum fuerit dissentire.'*
Peter Martyr, Tract, de Eucharist, Epist. Nuncupat. See also Vol. iii.
p. 13. and Strype, Cranmer, p. 257.

^ " Not long before I wrote the said Catecliism,'' he says, ** I was in
" that error of the Real Presence." See above, p. Ixxv. "The said
" Catechism" was published in 1548. See Preface to the Oxford re-
print 1839.

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THE EDITOR. Ixxix

for a reconsideration of the matter, before he finally aban-
doned his old belief.

If however the revolution in Cranmer^s sentiments was Eogliih
not only commenced, but completed in 1546, a considerable of Justus
interval elapsed, before it became generally known. At ^^e^^^^*"
beginning of Edw. VI.'^s reign, the prevailing impression
seems to have been, that he was a Lutheran in his tenets
on the Eucharist: and this impression was undoubtedly
strengthened by his publishing in 1548 a translation of
Justus Jonas^s Catechism. The Latin original was con-
fessedly the work of a Lutheran : the circulation therefore
of an English version for popular instruction under the
Archbishop^s sanction, was naturally conddered by the Sa-
cramentaries to be a decided declaration against them.
Cranmer indeed disclaimed this inference, maintaining that
the language of the Catechism was to be understood spi-
ritually S : and it is remarkable that many of the strong ex-
pressions of the ori^nal were studiously softened in the trans-
lation^, for the sake, as it appears, of admitting such
a sense. He might perhaps, like Bucer, have entertained
the vain hope of so stating the doctrine as to satisfy both
parties. Yet, notwithstanding these alterations, so much
countenance was still given to the Corporal Presence, that
the ofience taken by those who altogether denied it, cannot
be esteemed unreasonable. Shortly afterwards however his
opinions seem to have transpired, in consequence perhaps
of the explanations which the objections to his Catechism
drew from him. A Swiss Reformer, resident at Oxford,
informed Bullinger in November 1548, that Cranmer had
been brought to sounder views of the Lord'^s Supper by
John a Lasco ^ ; and in March 1549, he announced, that

s See Defence, (Vol. ii. p. 440.) and Answers to Smjtbe and Gardyuer,
(Vol. iii. pp. 13. 297. 344.)
*» See Vol. iv. p. 95. note (r).
* John a Lasco in a letter to Albert Hardenberg in 1546, expressed

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Ixxx PREFACE OF

Cranmer followed the sentiments of Peter Martyr on this
sacrament^. A few months later it might be supposed
that every remaining doubt was dispelled by the appear-
ance of Peter Martyr's Disputation and Treatise on the
Eucharist. For they both flatly deny the Corporal Pre-
sence; and as one was published at the request of Cran-
mer \ and the other was introduced by a long dedication to

himself thus on the Eucharist. '' Ego tanti non facio dissidium hoc de
" elementis Sacramentorum, postcaquam de mjsteriis convenit, ut
<< propter elemeota scindi velim societatem et charitatem Christianam;
'' Mysterium porro omnium summum in coena esse puto, communionem
'* corporis et sanguinis Christi ; In hoc vero nullum usque dissidium
<< video. Omnes enim ingenue fatemur, nos in coena, vero Christi cor-
'* pori et sanguinis vere etiam communicare, quicunque verbo iliins cre-
** dimus. Quod jam attinet, quo modo id fiat, anxie et curiose disqui-
^* rere, atque hoc nomine turbas in Ecclesia non necessarias excitare,
*' quam alioqui satis a£9igi et perturbari ab hostibus nostris videmus ?
** Excitent eas qui volent, me illarum socium non habebunt.** Letters
of John a Lasco in Gerdes, Serin. Antiq. tom. iL p. 629. This pas-
sage, both in doctrine and in moderation, is such as Cranmer himself
might have written.

^ These particulars are taken from a manuscript catalogue of the let-
ters preserved at Zurich relating to the English Reformation, which has
been lately compiled by Mr. Salomon Hess, and which is now in the
possession of the Delegates of the University Press at Oxford. The
following are extracts from it.

*' 1548. Burcherus BuUingero, 29 Oct. Catechism, jussu Cranmeri
*^ in Anglicum versus, Lutherans opinioni de Coena favens, multas dat
« turbas."

*^ Jo. ab Ulmis ad Bullingenim, 27 Nov. Cranmerus a Jo. a Lasco ad
^'.saniorem de Coena sentent : est adductus.*'

^< 1549. Jo. ab Ulmis BuUingero, 2. Mart. Cranmerus in Coena Mar-
^* tyris sententiam sequitur."

*< 1550. Hoperus BuUingero, 29 Jun. Cantuariensis multum Luthera-
<^ nismi remisit.''

John ab Ulmis, it may be observed, is a competent witness respect-
ing the time when the change in Cranmer's opinions became known,
though he was mistaken with regard to the person by whom it was ef-
fected.

* See the Preface to the DuptUation; and Strype, Memorials, vol. ii.
pp. 205. 208.

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THE EDITOR. Ixxxi

him, it was obvious to conclude, that he did not disapprove
of their contents. Yet Hc^r, so late as June IjUM), thought
it a piece of information worth communicating to his friends
in Swisserlaod, that Cranmer had given up much of his
Lutheranism.

At the time when this news was forwarded, the Arch-Pobiication
iMshop had not only ^^ given up much of his Lutheranismj^^/^M^^, &r'
but in all probability had already written his total renuncia-
tion of it. For it was in this very year that he printed his
Defawe of ike True and Catholic Doctrine of the Sacra-
ment of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ. There
could now be no longer any dispute respecting his real sen-
timents ; the exposition of them contained in this work being
very clear and explicit. His chief object indeed, as he de-
clared in his Preface % was ^^ to pluck up the weed8,^punoftlie
that had been sown in the Lord'^s vineyard by the papists, ^^'^*
but he failed not at the same time to point out the charac-
teristics of the genuine plants which they had overgrown.
And there was a large class of persons, for whom such in-
formation was most needful ; who from disgust at the super-
stitious corruptions of the EUicharist, had passed into the
opposite extreme of utterly ** despising it as a thing of small
<' or of none effect." He therefore, at the very commence- statement
ment, endeavoured to set forth "plainly and sincerely,^ ^^"'^ doctrine"*
in his judgment was the true nature and use of the Lord^s
Supper ; " to the intent that it might hereafter neither of
** the one party be contemned or lightly esteemed, nor of
^^ the other party be abused to any other purpose than
'^ Christ himself did first ordain and appoint the same ^.'^
For a foundation he rested on the sure word of God. He
b^;an with reciting the several passages of Scripture which
relate to this sacrament ; and then proceeded, first to state
briefly what must of necessity be deduced from these texts

"» Vol. ii. p. 289. " Vol. ii. p. 29«.

VOL. I. ff

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Ixxxii PREFACE OF

concerning its meaning and institution, and secondly, ^^ some-
^* what more at large to declare the same, according to the
" mind as well of holy Scripture as of old ancient authors.*^
The propositions which he deduced of necessity from Holy
Writ, were on the one hand, " that the cup is a communion
^^ of Christ^s blood that was shed for us, and the bread is a
^^ communion of his flesh that was crucified for us : so that
** although in the truth of his human nature Christ be in
^* heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father ;
" yet whosoever eateth of that bread in the Supper of the
** Lord, according to Christ s institution and ordinance, is
^^ assured of Christ^s own promise and testament, that he is
** a member of his body, and receiveth the benefits of his
" passion which he suffered for us on the cross**:*" and on
the other, " that although none eateth the body of Christ
" and drinketh his blood, but they have eternal life, yet
'^ both the good and the bad do eat and drink the bread
" and wine, which be the sacraments of the same : but be-
'^ side the sacraments, the good eateth everlasting life, the
'* evil everlasting death P.*"

After thus laying down " the sum of all that Scripture
" speaketh*^ on the subject, he, for the more perfect ex-
planation of it, described the fallen condition of man, and
the means employed for his restoration. He enlarged on
the spiritual generation and the spiritual nourishment of
the soul by our Saviour Christ ; and on the institution of
the two sacraments. Baptism and the Lord'^s Supper, for
the purpose of enabling us " the more clearly 'to see, un-
" derstand, and believe these things i.*" " For this cause,""
he wrote, " Christ ordained baptism in water, that as
^* surely as we see, feel, and touch water with our bodies,
" and be washed with water, so assuredly ought we to be-
" lieve, when we be baptized, that Christ is verily present

° Vol. ii. p. 295. P Vol. ii. p. 296. *» Vol. ii. p. 302.

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THE EDITOR. Ixxxiii

^^ with us, and that by Him we be newly born agiun spi-
** ritually, and washed from our wns.*" And in like man-
ner He <^ ordmned the sacrament of his body and blood in
*^ bread and wine, ... to the intent that as surely as we see
<< the bread and wine with our eyes, smell them with our
^^ noses, touch them with our hands, and taste them with
*' our mouths ; so assuredly ought we to believe that Christ
^^ is our spiritual life and sustenance of our souls, like as the
^* said bread and wine is the food and sustenance of our bo-
" dies'.'' There is little either in these extracts or in Cran-
mer's other expressions respecting our feeding upon Christ,
which could be understood carnally ' : yet he did not con-
clude without a special admonition, ^* that this spiritual meat
^^ of Christ's body and blood is not received in the mouth
*^ and digested in the stomach, as corporal meats and drinks
*< commonly be, but it is received with a pure heart and a
" smcere faith K'^

Having thus completed such an exposition of the Eucha- Refiitation
rist, as might " suffice for all that were humble and godly> e^^?"**
^^ and sought nothing that is superfluous ^,'" he in the next
place enumerated the principal errors of the papists; These
be stated to be four: Transubstantiation, the Corporal

' Vol. ii. p. 303.

* He seems nevertheless to have been misunderstood ; for he thought
fit to give the following additional explanation of such language in the
Preface of his Jtuwer to Gardyner, << When I saj and repeat many
^ times in my book, that tlie body of Christ is present in them that wor-
" thily receive the sacrament, lest any man should mistake my words,
<' and think that I mean, that although Christ be not corporally in the
^ outward visible signs, yet he is corporally in the persons that duly re-
^ ceive them, this is to advertise the reader, that I mean no such thing;
*^ but my meaning is, that the force, the grace, the virtue, and benefit
^* of Christ*s body that was crucified for us, and of his blood that was
*< shed for us, be really and effectually present with all tliem that duly
'^ receive the sacraments. But all this 1 understand of his spiritual pre-
" sence," &c. Vol. iii. p. 29.

« Vol. ii. p. 306. " Vol. ii. p. 308.

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Ixxxiv PREFACE OF

Presence, the Eating and Drinking of Christ by the Wicked,
and the Propitiatory Sacrifice of the Mass ; and he devoted
the remainder of his treatise to the separate examination and
refutation of each. Thus the work naturally divided itself
into five books; one, in which he unfolded the true doc-
trine, and four, in which he exposed the Romish corruptions
of it

The method pursued in the latter branch of his under-
taking, was first to state the grounds of his own decision,
and then to answer the arguments and authorities commonly
adduced on the other side. It might have been expected,
that this plan would lead to frequent mention of the dispu-
tants who had preceded him in the controversy. Yet he
but seldom refers directly to individuals, contenting himself
for the most part with giving an abstract of the reason-
ings which seemed to be in the greatest repute. Having
however, as has been already related, studied with great
care not only the ancient authors, but also the best modern
publications on the question, he doubtless on the one hand
pointed his attack against some particular works of the pa-
pists, and on the other derived valuable assistance from the
labours of the Sacramentaries. Among the former, it may
be presumed, he was especially de^rous of confuting the
Fisher. learned Latin Answer of Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, to
OBcolampadius, and the more recent English treatises of
Gardyner. Gardyner and Smy the \ And among the latter, he is said
to have been deeply indebted to the writings of one whom
he had formerly treated as a misguided heretic, the mar-
Frith, tyr Frith. According indeed to Burnet y, he himself " ac-

« See Vol. ii. pp. 339. 3T6. 440.

y Hist, of Reformat, vol. i. p. 339. The following is Foxe's state-
ment. '' I think it not much necessary to repeat all his [i. e. Frith's]
'< reasons and arguments, or the testimonies which he had gathered out
'< of the doctors : specially forasmuch as the Archbishop of Canterbury,
** Cranroer, in his Apology against the Bishop of Winchester, seemed to
'< have collected them abundantly, gathering the principal and chiefest

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THE EDITOR. Ixxxv

^^ knowledged^ when he wrote his apology against Gardiner,
**' that he had received great light from Frith'^s book, and
*^ drew most of his arguments out of it :^'' and it is intimated
by the same historian, that the ^^ book"" from which he thus
borrowed, was then unpublished. But this is certainly a
mistake, for it had already passed through four editions ^ ;
and probably most persons who will be at the pains of ex-
amining it, will think that Cranmer^s obligations to it have
been much exaggerated. If indeed any individuals are to
be named, to whose authority the Archbishop may be sup-
posed to have paid particular deference, none can prefer
stronger claims to that honour than Ridley and Peter Mar- Ridley,
tyr. By the former, his mind was first awakened to thetyr.
truth A : and with the latter he held such frequent con-

*' helps from thence that he leaned unto against the other : and I doubt
** much whether the Archbishop ever gave any more credit unto any
*^ author of that doctrine, than unto this aforesaid Frith/' Acts and Mo-
numentSf vol. ii. p. 306.

* Frith's Answer to the Letter ofM. More, which is the book in ques-
tion, was first printed in 1533, again in 1546, and twice, being ** newly
" revised and corrected," in 1548. It will be found in the Collection
of Frith's works published in 1573, or in the recent edition of them by
Mr. Russell. See Tanner, Bibliothecay art. Frith; Ames, Typogr, An-
tiq. art. S194; Lowndes, Bibliographer*s Manual, p. 751.

^ The following dialogue shows that the work was suspected by some
to be altogether Ridley's. The suspicion doubtless originated in a slan-
derous report extensively circulated, that Cranmer was a man of no
learning.

" Seer. Bourne, * How can ye make but a figure or a sign of the sa-
'' * crament, as that book which is set forth in my lord of Canterbury's
** ' name. I wisse ye can tell who made it; did not ye make it?' And
** here was much murmuring of the rest, as though they would have
" given me the glory of the writing of the book, which yet was said of
'< some there to contain most heinous heresy that ever was. ' Master
'• * Secretary,' quoth I, * that book was made of a great learned man,
*^ ' and him which is able to do the like again. As for me, I ensure
** * you, (be not deceived in me,) I was never able to do or write any
*' ' such thing like : he passeth me no less, than the learned master his
" * young scholar.' " Ridley's Narrative of his communication with Seer.

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Ixxxvi PREFACE OF

ferences on the subject, that a doubt has arisen^ whether
Cranmer was enlightened by Martyr, or Martyr by Cran-
mer^. Both suppoations perhaps are equally erroneous,
but they are evidence, nevertheless, of the unreserved in-
tercourse between these two reformers. And, beyond all
question, the Archbishop not only attached great weight to
Peter Martyr'^s judgment, but made use of his compositions
with extraordinary freedom ; for passages may be pointed
out in his friend'^s publications of the preceding year, which
he did not scruple to translate almost literally, and adopt as
his own ^.

The plan indeed of his work led him almost necessarily
to levy extensive contributions on the writings of others ;
for it made no pretensions to originality. It was his pro-
fessed object to bring together, within a moderate compass,
a plain exposition ^^of the true doctrine and use of the
" Lord'^s Supper,^ and a clear and popular " confutation
** of sundry errors concerning the same.'' With these
views, he would have sacrificed the public good to personal
vanity, if he had trusted wholly to his own resources. Co-
pious therefore as were the materials prepared by himself,
he failed not to strengthen his case by adding whatever had
been advanced by others, either of argument or authority.
And the result is most satisfactory : for, after all that has
since been written, it is not easy to point out any tract of
the same length against the Romish errors, more distin-
guished for closeness of reasoning, clearness of arrangement,
and a searching investigation of the subject.

Bourne and others^ in Foxe, Acts and Monuments, (ed. 1563,) p. 930.
This passage, as has been remarked by Mr. Todd, evidently relates to
Cranmer*s work on the sacrament, though in some later editions of
Foxe, and hy Strype, it is referred to his Catechism. See Todd, Life of
Cranmer, vol. ii. p. 47 ; Strype, Memorials, vol. ii. p. 32.

^ See above, p. Ixxx; Vol. iii. p. 13; and Strype, Cranmer, p. 258.

« See Vol. ii. pp. 305. 308, &c. 353 ; and Peter Martyr, Tract, de
Eucharist, pp. 616. 620. 640. (ed. 1562.)

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THE EDITOR. Ixxxvu

The impression made by it, was proportioned to its merit.
For it produced a considerable defection from the ranks of
his opponents, and caused also great alarm among those who
still held their ground ^. They felt, it is said, that their
cause was lost, unless so vigorous an assault could be
speedily repelled. Accordingly two champions stood for-
ward for this purpose ; one perhaps the most learned, and
the other the most able, of whom their party in England
could at that time boast. These were Richard Smythe, late
Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford, and the celebrated
Stephen Gardyner, Bishop of Winchester.

Smythe had already shown his zeal in defence of theCranmer
Mass. He had published two treatises ^ on it in 1546 ; and by Smythe.
though in the following year he had been compelled to re-
tract^ some expressions derogatory from the sacrifice of Christ
on the cross, he yet avowed his general opinions to be un-
changed, and in 1549 challenged Peter Martyr to discuss
the question in a public disputation at Oxford. He then
however broke his engagement, and left the argument to be
supported by others. But he seems now to have gladly
seized the opportunity of indulging in an attack on the
Archbishop, and of reasserting at the same time his own
doctrines. For he printed at Louvain, what he entitled a

d '' Quo libro ita multi sunt ad sanam de ea re opinionein adducti,

*' uc veritatis vim quanta esset^ sentirem Hoc ita sgre Stephanus

'* Gardinerns, Wintoniensis turn Episcopus, tulerat, ut nihil sibi prius
^* faciendum putarit, quam ut librum tam utilem et plausibiiem confu-
<' taret ; ratus, nisi opera sua aliqua impedimenta objicerentur, nuilos
" deplorats jam et derelicts pene sententiae adju tores fore.'' Cranmer's
Epistle to Edward VI. (Vol. ii. p. 283.) See also Hospinian^ Hist.
Sacrament, vol. ii. p. 216; Strype, Memorials^ vol. ii. (268.)

^ These were entitled, Assertion and Defence of the Sacrament of the
Altar y Loudon, 1546, oct.; and Defence of the Sacrifice of the Mass^
London, 1546, oct. He had also published, in 1547, a Brief Treatise
on traditions. See his character in Ant. Wood, Athena Oxon. p. 143.

^ Strype, Memorials^ vol. ii. p. 39, &c ; and Cranmer's Answer to
Smythe's Preface. (Vol. iii. p. 14.)

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Ixxxviii PREFACE OF

Canfutaiion of Cranmer^s Defence. This tract, if the ac-
count of his antagonist may be trusted, was not worthy of
his high reputation. It was *^ so fuU,^ sud the Archbishop^
^^ of bragging, boasting, slandering, misreporting, wrangling,
^^ wresting, false construing, and lying, that, those taken out
^^ of the book^ there was nothing worthy in the whole book
*^ to be answered S.**^ And accordingly he did not bestow
on it a formal reply. He noticed what was most material
in the body of the work, " as occasion served,'' in his Jiu
ewer to Gardyner; but he did not think it necessary to
examine separately any part of it, excepting the *^ false
^* calumniations'' contained in the Preface. These he ex-
posed in a few pages with great spirit and point ^, not only
' administering a severe chastisement to his adversary for his
theological misrepresentations, but also most triumphantly
vindicating Peter Martyr and himself from the aspersions
cast upon their personal honour. And he was thus led into
a narrative of facts', to which we are indebted for some
authentic information respecting the views of his Italian
friend, and for a very candid and interesting description of
his own gradual reception of the truth.
Aud by His more formidable opponent, Gardjmer, had also al-

ar yner. ^.^^y ^^^^ jjjg Strength in the controversy, having in 1646
advocated the received doctrine of the Mass, in his Detec*
turn of the DeviTs Sophistry^. As this tract was referred
to more than once, and as he was himself " touched by
** name" in Cranmer's Defence ^, he seems to have felt him-
self peculiarly called on to attempt its refutation. But this
was an undertaking, to which, single-handed, he was not

B Answer to Sim/the'i Prefuce, (Vol. iii. p. ^.) And again in the An-^
swer to Gardyner : ^' The one showeth nothing else, but what railing
<< without reason or learning, the other, what frowardness armed with
** wit and eloquence, be able to do against the truth." Vol. iii. p. 34.

h Vol. iii. p. 1. * Vol. iii. p. l«.

k See Ames, Typogr, Antiq, art. 1719.

» See Vol. ii. pp. 339. 376.

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THE EDITOR. Ixxxix

equal. Though possessed of a most powerful mtellect, and
deeply versed in the ways of the world, he was far from
being a learned divine. He was master indeed of the Canon
Law ; but he was probably not well read even in the School-
men, the chief source of the theology of his times ; still less
can it be supposed that he had studied to any considerable
extent the writings of the Fathers. On a question therefore
where much importance was attached to authority, he stood
in need of more copious resources than his own ^. The
opportunities of obtaining these may appear to have been
narrowed by his being a prisoner for non-compliance with
the late religious changes. But this difficulty was rather
apparent than real; for his confinement was not rigor-*
ous. He had free access to books and to his friends : the
supporters of the cause would naturally be eager to contri-
bute their aid to so eminent a leader : and materials being
thus provided by others, he was himself abundantly en-
dowed with talent for employing them to the greatest ad-
vantage.

When, by some such process as this, his book had been Gardjner's
coococted, Gardyner adopted a most singular mode of publi- p,^!^^
cation. Bdng at that time under trial before Cranmer and *" ^^"^
other Commissioners at Lambeth, he presented it to the Court
at one of his examinations as a documentary evidence in his
favour, and demanded that it should be regularly entered
as such in the record of the proceedings °. He thus pur-
sued the strange, and what in many cases would have been

"> Smythe, though then at LouvaJD^ furaished all the authorities, ac-
cordiog at least to his own account to Cranmer. '' Marry, it might be
^ that yoQ had from Smythe a false copy written, who informed me, that
^ yoa had of hun all the authorities that be in your book. And having
** all the authorities that he had with great travail gathered, by and by
** you made your book, and stale from him all his tliank and glory ;
** like unto Msop*s chough, which plumed himself with other birds'
" featliers.*' Cranraer's Answer to Gardyner, (Vol. iii. p. 253.)

" See Vol. iii. p. 3d. note.

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xc PREFACE OF

the dangerous course, of tendering in his defence a con-
troversial work (and that of no very respectful character)
against one of his judges. The hazard indeed of such a
step he well knew, from his experience of Cranmer's for-
giving disposition, to be merely imaginary; but he must
have known equally well, that a long treatise on a point of
doctrine could not clear him from the charge of noncon-
formity. It must therefore have been presented, not for
the sake of influencing the Court, but in the hope of pro-
ducing an effect on the public ; and here again, not for the
honest purpose of establishing his innocence, but, as Cran-
mer states **, with the crafty design of leaving two erroneous
impressions: the one, that he ^^ was called into judgment
" before the King'^s Majesty''s Commissioners at Lambeth
*^ for his catholic faith in the sacrament ; the other, that
^^ he made his book for his defence therein.^ But he was
" called to justice,^' as we learn from the same authority,
" for his manifest contempt and continual disobedience from
" time to time, or rather rebellion against the King^s Ma-
"jesty.*" And* his book was wholly independent of his
trial : for it was finished before " ever he was called before
" the said Commissioners,"" and was afterwards only slightly
altered at the beginning to make it serve his purpose.
Priuted in After this presentation in open Court, in January 1551,
it was printed in France P, with the following title : An Ex-
plication and Assertion of the True Catholic Faith touching
the most blessed Sacrament of the Altar ^ with t/ie Con/uta-
tion of a Book written against the same ; made by Steven
Bishop of Winchester J and exhibited by his own handy for
his defence, to the King's Mcyesty^s Commissioners at Lam-
beth. Though published abroad, it was no doubt exten-
sively circulated in England ; so that the Archbishop ^* held

" Vol. ill. p. 35.

P Answer to Gardiner, (Vol. iii. p. 88.); Strype, Memoriaky vol. ii.
p. (268.\ Cranmer, p. 255.

France.

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THE EDITOR. xci

** himself bound, for the vindication of the Evangelical truth,
<« as well as of his own wriUng, and for the satisfaction of
" the people, not to suffer it to He untaken notice of Q.''
He believed indeed, that those who would << diligently read
*^ over his book once agfdn, would find the same not so
*< slenderly made, but that he had foreseen all that could
** be sud to the contrary, and had fully answered it before-
^^ hand'.^ But he could not expect such diligence from the
generality of readers, and he was anxious to take every pos-
sible precaution against the seductions of the ^^ wit and elo-
^ quence,**^ which, as he admitted, his adversary had dis-
jdayed. He therefore hastened to prepare a reply; anCranmcr't
undertaking of no great difficulty to one so thoroughly
versed in the question. The authorities indeed alleged
against him, were chiefly the same which are to be found
in his own Note-books preserved in the British Museum
and at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and which con-
sequently, if the date of those books has been determined
rightly, he had long before fully weighed. He was thus
relieved from any laborious search for fresh evidence, being
only required to strip off the sophistry with which that al-
ready brought forward had been disguised. And this, if
the load of public business constantly pressing on him is
considered, he was not slow in accomplishing. For in the
following September he wrote to the Secretary of State »,
announcing that the printing of his Answer was finished,
and requesting that the King'*s license for its sale might be
granted with all convenient speed, because he thought ^^ it
u y^yy necessary to be set forth for the contentation of many
** which have had long expectation of the same.*"

This Answer was drawn up in a method that marked most
strongly Cranmer'^s confidence in his cause. He neither en-
deavoured to suppress his adversary ''s work, as was too much

*J Strype, Cranmer, p. 255. ' Vol. iii. p. 34. • Letter ccLXXXii.

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xcii PREFACE OF

the practice at that period, nor did he open the way to its re-
futation by giving his own statement of its contents, a custom
which leads almost unavoidably to complaints of misrepre-
sentation ; but he reprinted, without curtailment, both Gar-
dyner'^s book and his own, adding such further explanations
as he thought requisite to meet the objections of his opponent.
He thus laid the whole case, as it was argued on both sides,
fairly before the reader, in the perfect conviction, that the
more thoroughly it was examined, the more decisive would
be the judgment in his favour. And few impartial persons
will accuse him of presumption for such anticipations. For
although Gardyner'^s Explication displayed, as might be
expected from the character of its author, much ingenuity,
acuteness, and dexterity, yet in solid reasoning, in sound
learning, and in pure and forcible language, it will not bear
a comparison with the Archbishop''s Defence and Answer ^
This inferiority may be attributed, partly to Gardyner^s
deficiency in knowledge, and partly to the innumerable dif-
ficulties with which the cause he had undertaken to ad-
vocate was encumbered. His keen understanding indeed
seems to have been greatly embarrassed by some of the dog-
mas he was called on to defend. It was this embarrassment
doubtless which drove him into explanations, not only in-
consistent with the tenets of papists in general^ but even

* •* Foxe, when employed on the translation of this controversy into
Latin, complained of the style of both disputants. The Archbishop he
accuses of prolixity, a fault more justly chargeable on the Answer^ (with
which Foxe was then occupied,) than on the Defence, Of Gardyner's
style he wrote thus : '' Oratione Wintoniensis nihil vidi insuavius, con-
** fragosius, aut magis spinosum, in qua nonnunquam sic vorticosus est,
*' ut Sibylla potius aliqua quain interprete indigeat : imrao nescio an
^ uUa Sibylla sit tarn aenigmatistes, aut Delius tantus vates, qui sensum
'' ubique expiscari possit. In tertio libro unus est aut alter locus, ubi
'' aquam ex pumice citius quom senteutis lucem invenias. In periodis
'* plerumque tarn profusus vel infinitus magis est, ut bis sui oblitus vi-
" deatur, quam sui reperiat finem." Foxe to Peter Martyr, in Slrype,
lAfe ofGrindaly p. 15.

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THE EDITOR. xdii

with other parts of his own writings ". It may have been
from the same feeling also that he resorted to the expedient
of evading in some measure the force of Cranmer^s argu-
ments by altering their arrangement. Though he professed
to follow him step by step, he yet chose to postpone his
reply to the second book, on Transubstantiation, till he had
first examined the third and fourth, on the Corporal Prcv
sence, and on the Eating and Drinking of Christ by the
Wicked. The intent of this transporition, as the Archbishop
remarked *, was " easy to perceive." For he " saw the matter
^< of Transubstantiation so flat and plain against him, that
^^ it was hard for him to devise an answer in that matter
** that should have any appearance of truth, but all the
" world would evidently see him clearly overthrown at the
** first onset. Wherefore he thought^ that although the
^* matter of the Real Presence hath no truth in it at all,
^ yet, forasmuch as it seemed to him to have some more
*^ appearance of truth than the matter of Transubstantia-
" tion hath, he thought best to begin with that first.''

But Cranmer, thougli he thus pointed out the <^ marvellous
^ sleight and subtlety" of his antagonist, did not refuse to
engage him on his own terms. Conscious of superior
strength, he was ready to pursue him wherever he led the
way, even though the track were difierent from that which
he had himself marked out, and which, as he still main-
tained, ** the nature of the things required." He therefore
in his Answer adopted Gardyner's order, allowing the dis-
cussions on the Corporal Presence, and on the Eating and
Drinking of Christ by the wicked, to precede that on Tran-
substantiation. And thus the reader, instead of finding the

"These variations were so considerable, that Cranmer thought it
worth while to extract them. They were appended, with some other
brief notes, to the edition of the Answer to Gardyner published in 1580.
See Vol. iii. pp. 27. 555.

» Vol. iii. p. 91.

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xciv PREFACE OF

second book in its proper place, must seek for it after the
fourth.
Gardyner'8 But Gardyner, though defeated, was not inclined to retire
the*Rq)ly. ^0"^^ ^^^ contest. He employed the leisure afforded by his
continued imprisonment in making a vigorous attempt to
recover the lost ground. He however no longer carried on
the controversy in his own name or in English. Prefer-
ring the use of a learned language and of a fictitious name,
he wrote his new attack in Latin, and published it as the
work of Marcus Antonius Constantius, a divine of Lou-
vain 7. But the disguise appears to have been generally
seen through, and in the reign of Queen Mary it was alto-
gether had aside, a second edition having been then printed,
in which it was openly ascribed to " Stephen, Bishop of
** Winchester, Chancellor of England.*" Although how-
ever he thus took the responsibility upon himself, he was
even less entitled than in the former case, to be considered
the sole author. " Even when a prisoner,*" says Peter Mar-
tyr, " he was so abundantly furnished with workmen and
^* amanuenses, that as they of old to the building of the
" tabernacle, so here to the preparing of this book, a kind
** of papistical tabernacle, all sorts contributed something.
*^ For his book was Pandora^s box, to which all the lesser
" gods brought their presents. For every man, were his
*^ learning less or more, that had any arguments for the

y It was published at Paris in 1552. The Preface to the reprint in
1554 assigns the following reason for concealing the name of the author
in the first edition. " Quod libro antehac con^ctum nonien aut ipse
'* addi[dit], aut a typographis ascribi est passus, in eo ejus prudentia
'* singularis et pietas laudari potest. Nam quod Annibali in Asia regi
*' Antiocho bene consulenti accidit, ut ejus non tarn consilium quam
*' auctor displiceret, id pro teraporum iniquitate sibi inter suos vir pru-
^' dens suspicabatur, ut propter suorum temporum calami tatem, et quo-
'' rundam prsjudicatam de se opinionem, multi librum aut nunquara in
<< manus acciperent, aut acceptum mox rejicerent.*' Conjutatio Cavillat,
Typograpbus Lectori, p. 2.

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THE EDITOR. xcv

^< popish doctrine, brought them all to him, (many whereof
" were windy and trivial,) and he out of the heap made his
*' collections as he thought good *.■"

This second Confutation was not, like the former, pointed
at any particular treatise. It purported to be directed ge-

^ Strype's paraphrase has been adopted here. The original passage
in Peter Martyr's Preface to his Defence against Gardyner stands thus :
'^ Taceo enim non ita me instructum fuisse ab opibus, ut tot operas et
** amanuenses alere potuerim, quibus Gardinerus, etiam cum in carcere
^* essety ita abundavit, ut queraadmodum olim ad exaedificandum Ta-
^ bernaculum, ita hie ad omandum istum librum, ceu Tabernaculum
*' quoddaro papistarum, omnes quicunque turn essent in illorum custris,
'* etiam rustici et tumultuarii miiites, videantur aliqiiid contulisse. Est
^ enim haec, ne nescias Lector, Pandors pyxis, in quam omnes etiam
** Minorum gentium Dii sua munuscula congesserunt. Nam ut olim,
** quemadmodura est in fabulis, Ulyssi navigaturo ^olus ventos omnes
** in utrem contrusos in manum dedit, ut ilie cum solvisset in altuni, eis
" pro suo arbitrio uteretur : ita isti Gardinero, cum nescio quid contra
" nos moliretur, omnia sua argumenta, satis ea quidem ventosa et levia
'' tradidenint, ut ille ex acervo deligeret quicquid vellet, et sibi alieno
** Tento vela foceret." Defemio ad Gardinerum, Praf. p. 1. (15C2.)
In another part of the same Preface, Peter Martyr, adopting a meta-
phor introduced by Gardyner from the kitchen, wrote as follows:
** Qnamvis unus esset Archimageirus, tamen tot erant operas, tot ma-
'' nus, tot lix3, tot calones, tantum fumi, tantum fuliginis, tantum con-
^ fusionis in culina, ut nihil potuerit recte atque ordine administrari."
Praef. p. 4. And he repeated the assertion in the body of his work :
** Certe si ex tuis libris mendacia, sophisticen, et vulpinam asttitiam

'' auferas, caetere omnia sunt aliena Scitur, et plusquam credas,

^' exploratum est, te alienis videre oculis, et alienis manibus permulta
** scribere, quae prius alieno edas nomine, non quod ab aliis conscripta
** esse velis confiteri, sed quod illi captandae gloriolae quam misere de-
^ peris, tempus videris non fuisse idoneum. Quo postea commutato,
'' nomen tuum alienis laboribus ascribis : teque pavonis plumis, inso-
'* lentissimus graculus, impudentissime jactas.^ Pet. Martyr, Defemio
ad Gard. de Eucharistia, p. 77. (ed. 1562.)

Strype adds thaf Watson and Smith were the chief assistants.'^ His
authority probably was the Preface to the Embden edition of Cron-
mer*s Defence^ where mention is made of the passages, '* quae sub per-
" sonati Marci cnjusdam Antonii nomine, Stephanus ille Gardinerus,
'< Sycophanta impudentissimus, (auxilio cujusdam Watsoni et Smithi
" Sophistarum,) scripto convellere frustra tentavit."

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xcvi PREFACE OF

nerally against all the ^< impious Capernaites %^ who im-
pugned the received doctrines on the Eucharist. But Cran-
mer and Peter Martyr were in reality the chief objects of
attack^. And of this they had no reason to complain;
but they were justly indignant at the unfairness of their
antagonist. The arguments of the Archbishop were not
merely designated as "heretical cavillations,^"' (which was
no more than might have been expected,) but they were
presented in so mutilated and disjointed a form, that their
author declared he could not recognise them as his own c.
And these erroneous statements were the more likely to be
extensively mischievous, because foreigners, from their ig-
norance of English, had not the means of detecting their
falsehood, by reference to the books from which they pro-
fessed to be derived. Cranmer therefore took immediate
measures for arresting the evil. For the purpose of putting
the learned on the continent in possession of his real opin-
ions, he published, in 1553, a Latin version of his Defence^.

* It was entitled, Confutatio Cavillationum guibus Sacrotanctum Eu-
charittut Sacramentum ah impiU Caphamaitis impeti tolet, '* Caperaai-
" tes'' was a term of reproach applied both by Papists to Sacramenta-
ries, and by Sacramentaries to Papists : to the Sacraroentaries, because
they thought the doctrine of the Eucharist a << hard saying," and could
not bear it : to the Papists, because they understood the words of Christ
in a carnal, instead of a spiritual sense. See St. John, chap. vi.

b The Confutation is divided into four parts. In the first, which is
by far the largest, the author answers 255 Objections collected from
the writings of the Sacramentaries ; in the second he attacks some rules
laid down by Peter Martyr for the true interpretation of the Fathers ;
in the third and fourth he confutes the solutions by which the Sectaries
endeavoured to evade the arguments and authorities of tlie Catholics.
Strype gives a short abstract of it in his Memariali of Cranmer, p. 959 :
but he erroneously attributes Peter Martyr's rules to the Archbishop.
See Peter Martyr, Tractatio de EucharUtia, and Defenuo ad Gardi-
ncrum, p. ii.

^ See his Letter to Edw. VI, prefixed to the translation of his De-
fence, 1553. (Vol. ii. p. 384.)

<* There do not appear to be any sufficient grounds for supposing
that there were two distinct versions of the Defence, one by Sir John

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THE EDITOR. xcvii

This was to be followed by a translation^ into the same Cmnmer'*
language of his Answer to Gardyner^ and by a new work, uous* for a
in which he intended to expose that prelate^s recent niifire-^"!*
presentations.

But the untimely death of Edward VI. interfered with
the execution of these designs. They were not however
entirely relinquished. Though involved in the troubles of
the new reign, the Archbishop continued his labours, both
in the revinon of his former writings, and in the com-
position of his projected Reply. The last-mentioned un-
dertaking occupied much of his attention, and was in a
very forward state at the time of his death. Following,
as it seems, Gardyner'^s fourfold division^, he had com-
pleted three parts of the work, and expressed much anxiety
to live long enough to finish the remainder. But neither
was this permitted, nor has any fragment of what was al-
ready written been preserved. "Two parts,** says FoxeK,
^* perished in Oxford, the other yet remaineth in my hands,
** ready to be seen and set forth, as the Lord shall see
"good." But "even this,** adds Strype^, "which was

Cheke, the other by John Yong, Matter of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge.
It is indeed exceedingly improbable that the latter ever engaged in
such an undertaking, since under Edward VI, as well as under Mary,
he was a stiff maintaiuer of the Romish tenets on the Eucharist. See
Strype, Cranmer, pp. 255. 260. 269.

« This design was taken up after Cranmer's death by some of the
English exiles on the continent, and was so far carried into execution,
that the translation was completed, partly by Sir John Cheke, partly
by Foxe, and sent to the press at Basle. But it was never published,
probably from an unwillingness to revive the controversy. An imper-
fect copy of the manuscript came into the hands of Strype, being writ^
ten, as he says, by Foxe himself, " in very cleanly elegant Latin." This
is now in the British Museum, Harl. MSS. 418. See Strype, Crawner,
p. 262, Aylmer, ch. 1, and particularly Grindal, p. 13, &c.

^ See above, p. xcvi. note (b).

< Acts and Monument i, vol. iii. p. 647.

*» Strype, Cranmer, pp. 259. 370.
VOL. I. h

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xcviii PREFACE OF

" once in Foxe'^s custody, is gone with his fellows, for aught
" that I can find among his papers K"^

His Revisions have been more fortunate. Those of the
Defence fell into the hands of some English exiles, and were
inserted in a new edition of the Latin translation of that
treatise published at Embden in 1557. Those of the An^
swer to Gardyner came also into the possession of friends,
and were incorporated into the reprint which appeared in
1580, under the direction, as it has been conjectured, of
Bishop Parkhurst. In neither case however are the altera-
tions considerable. In the first, the improvements consist
either of more perfect transcripts of his old quotations, or
of new authorities in confirmation of them. In the second,

* Though Cranmer was prevented by death from continuing the con-
troversy, Gardyner's Confutation was not left without an answer. The
task was undertaken, and most successfully accomplished^ by Peter
Martyr. During the Archbishop's lifetime, this able divine had ab-
stained from the contest, and he has himself given the reason : " Cum
'' doctissimus juxta ac sanctissimus vir D. Thomas Cranmerus, Archi-
« episcopus nuper Cantuariensis, eam in se provinciam suscepisset,
<< quern scirem isto papistarum Achille in omni genere literarum longe
*' esse superiorem, quod ego non adulatiouis causa dico, (quis enim
'^ aduletur homini mortuo?) sed quod sciam ex multis et variis dispu-
^* tationibus quas habuit aliquando cum Vintoniensi, et cum victoria et
^* summa cum laude discessisse, non putavi esse pudoris mei, ut illi tarn
'< sanctum tamque pium institutum prsriperem. At ille, cum in car-
'' cere arctissima custodia observaretur, ubi vix charta ad scribendum,
'' nedum librorum copia suppeteret, et postremo cum durissima morte,
'' quam in vene fidei coufessione constanter tulit, sublatus esset, opus
*' quod jam habebat prs manibus, coactus est relinquere inchoatum.*'
Def. ad Gard, Prsef. p. 1. Under these circumstances Peter Martyr
came forward with zeal to the support of his deceased patron. He en-
tered upon a detailed examination of Gardyner's book, and exposed his
several arguments in order, with a copiousness and power/ worthy of
his extensive reading and scrutinizing judgment. To his work therefore,
the reader who is not satisfied with Cranmer's own vindication of him-
self, is referred. It was dedicated to Queen Elizabeth in a Letter dated
1 March 1559, and is entitled Defensio ad Gardinerum de Eucharistia,
It forms, with his IVactatio and his Ditputatio de Eucharittiay a folio
volume of moderate size, printed at Zurich 1562.

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THE EDITOR. xcix

the additioDs most worthy of notice^ are some notes in the
margin, giving the substance of the text, and the collection,
ah'eady alluded to ^, of Gardyner'^s most glaring inconsist-
endes and absurdities ^

Such (with the exception of the Disputations at Oxford, Renew of
which will be noticed hereafter) is the sum of Cranmer^s "P"^-
labours in this important controversy. Hb learning and
abiUty in the conduct of it, have been fully acknowledged
both by friends and foes. The high opinion entertained by
the former, of his publications on the question, may be
learnt from the subjoined testimonies "^ to their value by

k See above, p. xciii. note (u).

1 The additioDs thus made both to the Drfence and the Antwerp have
all been inserted in tlie present reprint.

" Lattmeb. '^ I have long sought for the truth in this matter of the
** sacrament, and have not been of this mind past seven years: and my
** lord of Canterbury's book hath especially confirmed my judgment
^ lierein. If I could remember all therein contained, I would not fear
<' to answer any man in this matter." Latymer's Disputation at Oxford,
ID Foxe, Act$ and MonumentSf vol. iii. p. 82.

John Knox. " God put wisdom in the tongues of his ministers and
<' messengers to utter that vain vanity [transubstantiation], and espe-
** cially gave such strength to the pen of that reverend father in God,
** Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, to cut the knots of
** Devilish Sophistry, linked and knit by the Devil's Gardiner and his
*' blind buzzards to hold the verity of God under bondage ; that rather,
** I think, they shall condemn his works, (which notwithstanding shall
'^ continue and remain to their coufusion,) than enterprise to answer
** the same.'' Knox's Admonition, in Strype, Memorials, vol. iii. p. 230.

Preface to Embden edition of the Defence, attributed to Sir John
Cheke. " Ccenae Dominies controversiam ea hie dexteritate tractat, ut
^ plerosque omnes, qui in hoc scripti genere ingenii sui nervos extende-
** rant, multis emuncts naris viris a tergo reliquisse videatur."

John Foxe. ^ In quo libro [viz. Cnuuneri Ad Gardinerum Reipon-
*' ikme] videbit spero propediem tota Germania quicquid de causa £u-
*' charistica vel dici vel objici a quoquam poterit." Foxe to Oporinus,
in Strype, Cranmer, p. 359.

Matt. Parker. ** Cranmerus domi otium omne suum sacris literis
^impertivit; scripsitque contra pontificiorum sententiam* illam eras-
" sam atque camalem in sancts Coenae sacramento Christi praesentiam
** affirmantium, tanta doctrina et argumentorum copia refertum librum;

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c PREFACE OF

several of the most eminent men of that day. And the
sentiments of the latter respecting them were sufficiently
manifested, by the pains with which the leaders of the
party combined to produce an answer; by the weight
attached to them in the proceedings against their author
and his coadjutors under Queen Mary"; and by the peti-
tion presented in that reign by the lower House of Con-
vocation for placing them in " the forefront'' of the heretical
books proposed " to be destroyed and burnt throughout the
" realm o.'*' They seem indeed to have attracted admiration
on the one side, and hostihty on the other, beyond any
other treatise of that date. The English Reformers ap-
pealed to them with confidence, as to a standard work con-
taining not only a clear statement and ample defence of
their own doctrines, but also a complete refutation of the
corrupt tenets of their adversaries. And for the same rea-
sons were these writings assailed with the utmost vehe-
mence by the papists ; it being perceived, that if their
credit were shaken, the blow would affect the whole ad-
ministration of the Lord's Supper, as it had been lately
arranged in England. Their relative position has now of
course been altered. Instead of standing alone, as a solitary
bulwark of the truth, they are in some measure super-

** ut ea controversia a nemine unquam contra pontificios accuratius
" tractata esse videatur." Antiq. Brit, Eccles. p. 508.

For the judgments of Ridley and Peter Martyr respecting it, see
above, pp. Ixxxv. xcviii. notes (a) (i).

n See Vol. iv. pp. 47. 62. 96. 102. 132. 140.

® " Among these books,** says Strype, ** they set Thomas Cranraer,
" late Archbishop of Canterbury, his book, made against the Sacrament
^ of the Altar, in the forefront; and then next, the Schismatical Book,
^* as they called it, viz. the Communion Book. To which they sub-
^' joined the Book of Ordering Ecclesiastical Ministers* and all suspect
*' translations of the Old and New Testament; and all other books of
** that nature. So that, if Cranmer*s book was burnt, it was burnt with
« very good company, the Holy Bible and the Communion Book.*'
Strype, Cranmer^ p. 348.

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THE EDITOR. ci

seded by the more extensive lines of defence constructed
by the skill of later divines. In this point of view their
importance is diminished ; they can no longer be referred
to, as comprising the substance of all that has been writ-
ten on the question P. But the same lapse of time^ which
has deprived them of one kind of value, has imparted to
them another. If they have ceased to supply the best
arguments for debate, they yet afford most useful materials
for history ; for they are a record of the aspect then borne
by the Eucharistic controversy. As this aspect has varied
greatly at different periods, any contemporaneous evidence
of what it was at that eventful sera is entitled to attention,
and testimony given by so eminent a person as the English
Primate, is of the highest moment. The office and charac-
ter of the witness recommend it to oS, but it has pectdiar
claims on the members of that Church which looks up to
him as the chief director of her reformation. It not only
enables them to see more clearly, with what wisdom he steered
his course between conflicting opinions, but it furnishes them
also with much information respecting his general views,
and thus promotes a more perfect understanding of the
present Liturgy and Articles which were compiled in great
measure under his presiding care.

These considerations seem of late years to have had some
weight, and have perhaps occasioned the appearance of
two recent reprints of the Defince^. Still however there

P See the testimonies^ particularljf that of Foxe^ p. xcix, note (m) .

^ One of these appeared in 1809, in the tliird volume of The Fathers
of the English Church : the other in 1825, with an Historical and Cri-
tical Introduction by Mr. Todd. The Fathers of the English Church
contain also the Answer to Sfttythe's Preface. Besides these reprints of
entire treatises on this controversy, some Extracts from the Defence
have been lately published by the Religious Tract Society. These con-
sist of the greater part of the first book, of some small portions of
the third and fourth, and of the whole of the fifth. They are much too
imperfect to convey a full and fair view of Cranmer's tenets, especially

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cii PREFACE OF

has been no repubHcation of the Answer to Gardyner^.
Nor is it difficult to account for the preference shown to
the former work. The Defence is a short treatise, in which
all subordinate discussions are avoided, and the leading
points of the question are handled with much learning and
masterly precision, yet in a plain and popular style. Where-
as in the Answer^ the various minute ramifications of the
subject are pursued, and sometimes even these are lost sight
of in the eagerness of personal altercation. It is therefore
little likely to suit the taste of the general reader, anxious
probably to catch the most striking features of the dispute
at the least possible expense of labour. But for these very
reasons it is perhaps the more serviceable as an historical
document. Truth, it is s^d, often comes out in the heat
of debate, and the maxim may be justly applied to the pre-
sent case. For the reproaches exchanged between the two
disputants, throw much light not only on the exact state
of the Eucharistic controversy, but also on several other
occurrences of those times. And this light does not lose in
brilliancy, though it may sometimes be tinged with a pecu-
liar colour, by the absence of those restraints which are
imposed on modem controversialists by the laws of courtesy.
No scruples of delicacy seem then to have interfered either
with the utterance of the heaviest accusations, or with the
expression of them in the strongest language. And to what-
ever other objections this excessive freedom of speech may

as they do not include a remarkable passage in the first book, illustra-
tive of his opinions on baptism. The passage alluded to, is in the second
volume of the present edition, p. 302 — 304, beginning at << Although
« our carnal generation,'' and ending with << spiritual strength and
" perfection."

' The only portions of this work reprinted since 1580, are a few Ex-
tracts which have been admitted into The Fathers of the EngUth
Church. These relate chiefly to the nature and efficacy of the sacra-
ments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

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THE EDITOR. ciii

be open, it will scarcely be charged with tending to suppress
the truth. Nor must it be forgotten, that the mere contem-
plation of the struggle is not without its attractions. Inter-
est is excited by contests of most kinds, and is usuaUy height-
ened in proportion to the importance of the quarrel, and to
the renown of the contending parties. A more than ordi-
nary curiosity therefore must be felt, when the dispute is
upon the doctrine of the Eucharist, and when such men as
Cranmer and Gardyner appear as champions. In a con-
flict between leaders so distinguished, even the indifferent
spectator will find a pleasure in comparing the weight and
keenness of their weapons, and the strength and skill with
which they are wielded. But the protestant, conscious of
having a stake in the combat, will watch its progress with
deep anxiety, and will witness with delight its triumphant
termination. He will gratefully acknowledge his debt to
the vigorous defender of his cause, being assured that the
armour of proof which foiled so wily an antagonist, will
ever be found impenetrable by the darts of the enemy.

No other treatise, exclurively written by Cranmer, ap-
peared during this reign : but some notice may be expected
of two important works in which he had a large share,
namely, The XLII Articles of Religion^ and the Refor-
matio Legum. It is remarkable, that though much promp-
titude was shown under Henry VIII. in drawing up For-
mularies of Faith, five years were allowed by his successor
to elapse without any publication of this nature. Burnet %
among other reasons for this delay, suggests the necessity
of paying the first attention to the corruptions in the
public worship, and the expediency of subjecting points of
doctrine to the fullest discussion, before they were de-
termined. These considerations without doubt made a

' Ui$t. rfKefarmat. vol. ii. p. 343.
h4

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civ PREFACE OF

due impression on the mind of Cranmer. But another

cause, of still greater efficacy, may perhaps be found, in the

Plan for hope which he long cherished of arranging by common con-

a°G«iera[ s^^t a General Confession of Faith for all the scattered

S^Faitb for Protestant Churches K This plan originated with Melanc-

all the Re- thon, who had many years before expressed a wish for the
formed ., . ^ , , ^

Churches, compilation of such a document ^. Cranmer, it seems, was
pleased with the proposal^ and, when the accession of
Edward VI. appeared to facilitate its execution, hastened
to invite the most eminent reformers on the continent to
hold a meeting in England for the purpose u. And at

^ In addition to the accounts of this design, given hy Strype and
others, some farther information is furnished by the Letters from
Cranmer to Melancthon, Hardenberg, Bullinger, and Calvin, which
are now first printed from manuscripts at Zurich. See Letters cclxxiii.

CCLXXVI. CCLXXXIII, CCLXXXIV, CCLXXXV.

• See Letter cclxxvi. note (r).

" lliere does not appear to be any evidence that Calvin was invited
to this conference; the correspondence which Strype assigns to this
year, being certainly of later date. See Vol. i. pp. 345, 346 ; Strype, Cran-
mer, p. 407. The following extract from a Letter by John a Lasco
to Hardenberg, implies that there was some hesitation on the point.
*' Contentio Sacramcntaria coepit illic [i. e. in Anglia] exagitari per
'* quosdam, estque instituta ea de re publica disputatio, ad quam mag-
'* nis multorum precibus vocor. Bucerus exspectatur. Franciscus
'' noster Dryander jam adest. Et de Calvino mussatur, nisi quod Gal-
" lus est.** Gerdes, Serin. Antiq. torn. ii. p. 644. Heylyn asserts
positively, " that upon the very first reports of a reformation here in-
*' tended, Calvin had offered his assistance to Archbishop Cranmer, as
'< himself confessed!. But the Archbishop knew the man, and refused
" his offer." Heylyn, Eccles. Restaur, p. 65. But he gives no autho-
rity for the latter part of his statement, and it can hardly be reconciled
with Cranmer*s Letter to Calvin of March 20th, 1552.

Besides this brief remark by Heylyn, there are two other accounts of
Calvin*s correspondence with the English Reformers in the reign of £dw.
VI, which deserve notice: one in Faxes and Firebrands, (part ii. p. 10.)
from a memorandum by Sir Henry Sidney; the other in Strype*s
Life of Parker, taken from a manuscript by Archbishop Abbot, pro-
fessing to give the substance of some papers which belonged to Arch-

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THE EDITOR. cv

first he was apparently well satisfied with the progress of
the undertaking. He informed John a Lasco in July
1548 *, that several learned men had already arrived ; so
many indeed, that scarcely any more were required : and he
therefore entreated him both to come himself, and also, if
possible, to bring Melancthon, to whom, he stated, he was
then sending a third invitation. A few weeks afterwards
he addressed Albert Hardenberg, the Superintendent of the
Reformed Church at Bremen, in nearly similar terms7. His
sanguine expectations however were disappointed. John a
Lasco indeed came to England in the autumn ; but Me-
lancthon, though ready to communicate his advice by letter,
persisted in declining to attend in person. Yet the applica-
tions to him were still continued. In Feb. 1549 an asylum
was offered him from the troubles occasioned in Germany
by the publication of the Interim : he received another in-
vitation, as is learnt from his own correspondence, iu May
1550 ; and another, in common with Bullinger and Calvin,
in March 1552 ^. But all were in vain : Melancthon was
still immoveable ; so that Cranmer seems at length to have
discovered the impracticability of the project*, and to have

bishop Parker. These agree in stating, that overtaret were made by
Calvin and others to Edward VI. on the subject of episcopacy; that,
they failed in attaining their object; and that the failure <' caused much
** animosity among reformers :" but the former version of the story
assumes that they were received, and attributes their rejection to the
intrigues of the papists : the latter relates that they were never received
at all, but were intercepted by Gardyner and Boner, and a forged an-
swer returned in the name of the English protestants, " wherein they
<< checked Calvin, and slighted his proposals.^ If the first of these
narratives is correct, it is strange that no allusion to the overtures oc-
curs in any of Cranmer's Letters. The second will account indeed for
this silence : but we shall still look in vain for that << animosity*' which
is said to have been kindled between Calvin and the English Church.

'Letter ccLXxi I.

y LetterccLxxiii.

* See Letters cclxxii. cclxxvi. cclxxxv.

' 1550 and 1551 have each been named as the date when these

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cvi PREFACE OF

proceeded without farther delay, to complete a separate
Formulary for the Church of England.

It may perhaps be matter of surprise, that he did not
make this discovery earlier : it may even be mtuntained, that
the scheme was in its own nature chimerical, and that the
attempt to carry it into execution was more creditable to
his zeal than his judgment. But it is somewhat presump-
tuous^ even when instructed by the event, to ridicule a de-
sign, approved by two such men as Cranmer and Melanc-
thon. It is possible indeed, that they calculated too much
on finding in others the same moderation, candour, and
spirit of conciliation which distinguished themselves. But
they were, neither of them, of an ardent temperament,
nor apt to engage rashly in wild and visionary enter-
prises. And circumstances occurred, both on the conti-
nent and in England, sufficiently untoward to frustrate an
undertaking in itself perfectly feasible. And this seems to
have been Calvin^s view of the case. He evidently despaired
of success ; he spoke of the agreement of the reformers on a
standard Form of Doctrine, as an object of desire, rather
than of hope : but his forebodings, it is manifest, were not
so much grounded on the Utopian character of the project,
as on the overpowering difficulties of the times ^. For on
the design itself he bestowed the highest prtuse, and revived
it himself some years afterwards on the accession of Queen
Elizabeth c.
Forty-Two But whatever may have been Cranmer^s anxiety to obtain
R^llriOTi"^ a General Confession of Faith, he did not in the mean
»552. while neglect to take measures for preparing apartictdar
one. Having received an order, probably at his own re-
efforts to form a protestaDt union ceased : but the three Letters
ccLxxxiijyCCLxxxiv, ccLxxxvy sufficiently prove that they were con-
tinued till 1552. See Vol. i. p. 345. note (m).

»> See Vol. i. p. 34T; Calvini Epiitolay pp. 134, 135. Genev. 1617.
^ Strype, JUfe of Parker, vol. i. p. 69.

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THE EDITOR. cvii

quests in the year 1551^ *^ to frame a book of Articles of
" Religion d,*" he " in obedience hereunto,^ says Strype,
" drew up a set, which were delivered to certain other
*^ bishops to be inspected and subscribed, I suppose, by
" them.'' In May 1552, after the failure of the invitations
to foreign reformers, the Privy Council sent for these Arti-
cles, inquiring at the same time whether they were ^^ set
"forth by any public authority.'' In September «, the
Archbishop forwarded them, after they had undergone a
revision, to Sir John Cheke ; on the twenty-third of No-
vember he again received them from the Cciuncil, to whom
he returned them on the following day, beseeching the
Lords ^ " to be means unto the King's Majesty, that all the
<^ bishops may have authority from him to cause all their
" preachers, archdeacons, deans, prebendaries, parsons,
" vicars, curates, with all their clergy, to subscribe to the
" said Articles." This authority, though long delayed^ was
at last granted in the following June ; when letters from the
King were issued to the several prelates, informing them,
that " certain Articles were sent, gathered with great study,
'' and by counsel and good advice of the greatest learned
" part of the bishops of this realm, and sundry others of
" the clergy ;" and exhorting them both to subscribe them
themselves, and also to cause them to be subscribed by
" all other which do or hereafter shall preach or read
" within their dioceses S." It is no part of the present de-
agn to enter into the controversy which has arisen respect-
ing the agreement of the Convocation to these Articles ;
but we are concerned to ascertain, how far they may be
ascribed to the Archbishop. And if we add to the short
statement just given, his own declaration before Brokes at
Oxford ^f little doubt will be entertained of his being the

^ Strype, Cranmer, p. 272. * Sec Letter ccxc. ^ See Letter ccxcii.

8 See Appendix, N^ xliii.

^ The following is an extract from the English account in Foxe :

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cviii PREFACE OF

person, rotunly responsible for their contents. It is of
course not meant to intimate that they are an original
work. They are generally admitted to be a compilation ;
and the Confession of Augsburgh is usually mentioned as
their chief source. There is reason however to believe,
as has been shown above ^, that they were taken more
immediately from a set of Articles agreed on by the Eng-
lish and German divines at a conference held in London
in 1538. But they do not follow servilely either of these
Formularies; they are at once more comprehensive and
more brief, containing judgments on a greater variety of
questions, but entering less into the grounds on which these
judgments rest.
Reformatio The second important work, now completed by the assist-
ance of Cranmer, was the revision of the Ecclesiastical Laws.
This revision had been first projected as early as 153^. In the
submission then made to the King by the clergy, they de-
clared, that whereas divers canons were " thought to be not

" As for the Catechisniy the Book of Articles, with the other Book
'' against Winchester, he granted the same to be his doings." In the
official Latin report, Cranmer's answer is expressed thus : <' Quoad Ca-
<* techismum et articulos in eodero fatetur se adhibuisse ejus consilium
" circa editionem ejusdem." See Vol. iv. pp. 102. 106. The Catechism
here mentioned was set forlh by Royal authority at the same time with
the Articles, ** for the instruction of young scholars in the fear of God.**
(See Appendix, N^ xliii. 1.) Though approved by Cranmer, it was
not composed by him. Ridley was charged with being its author, but
denied it. It has also been attributed to Nowell, but the most prevail-
ing opinion seems to be, that it was written by Ponet, Bishop of Win-
chester. (See Vol. iv. p. 65. note (u).) It superseded the Catechism
translated under the Archbishop's direction in 1548, which was proba-
bly considered objectionable, as giving too much countenance to the
Lutheran view of the Eucharist. Both these Catechisms must be dis-
tinguished from the very short one for children, forming part of the
Office for Confirmation in Edward VI. *s first Service Book, and now,
with the addition of some questions and answers on the Sacraments,
known by the name of the Church Catechism.
^ Pages xxiii, xxiv.

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THE EDITOR. cix

*^ only much prejudicial to his prerogatiTe royal, but also
*^ overmuch onerous to his Highness's subjects,*'* they were
content to commit the judgment respecting them to thirty-
two persons, ^^ sixteen of the upper and nether house of the
** temporalty, and other sixteen of the clergy ; all to be
** chosen and appointed by his most noble Grace *.'" In
conformity with this concession, an Act of Parliament*" was
passed in March 1534, empowering his Majesty to nomi-
nate Commissioners, and enacting that the Canons approved
by these Commissioners, if fortified by the royal assent
under the Great Seal, should be kept and observed within
the realm. This Act was renewed in 1536 ", and again in
1544 <^. In the latter case it was so far carried into execu-
tion, that Commissioners were appointed, a body of Ecclesi-
astical Law digested, and a Letter of ratification prepared for
the King^s signature?. But this signature was never affixed;
and the powers granted to the Crown having been limited
to the lifetime of Henry VIII, a fresh Act was passed with
the same object in 1549^. Commissioners are sud ^ to have
been named shortly afterwards in pursuance of its provi-
sions; but if this was the fact, they seem to have made
little progress in the business, for a new Commission was
issued in Oct. 1551, to eight bishops, eight divines, eight
civilians, and eight common lawyers^; of whom eight ^ were

» Wilkins, Concilia, vol. iii. p. T54. ™ Stat. 25 Hen. VIII. c. 19.

» Stat. 2T Hen. VIII. c. 15. « Stat. 35 Hen. VIII. c. 16.

P Strype, Cranmer, p. 133. and A pp. N*». 34; Burnet, 'Reformat,
vol. iii. p. 308.

*i Stat. 3 and 4 Edward VI. c. 11.

'' Strype, Life of Cheke, chap. iii. §. 2.

• Strype, Cranmer, p. 270.

' *^ Octo potissimum selecta fuerunt capita, quibus prima opens

** pneformatio, qaasiqae materiae pneparatio committebatur

'< Summs negotii pnefuit Tbo. Cranmerus, Archiepis. Cant. Orationis
** lonien et splendorem addidit Gualterus Haddonus, vir disertus, et in
** hac ipsa juris facultale non imperitus. Quin nee satis scio, an Joan.

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ex PREFACE OF

selected to ^^ gather and put in order^ the materials. ^* But
" the matter,'' says Strype, " was in effect wholly entrusted
^^ by the King to the Archbishop, who associated to him-
" self in the active part of this work, Taylor, Martyr, and
^^ Haddon.'' And this account is confirmed by the numer-
ous corrections in the handwriting of Cranmer and Peter
Martyr, which may still be seen in a manuscript copy of the
projected code preserved in the British Museum ". Thus
the Archbishop's share in its composition seems to have
been much more than that of mere general superintendence.
If he did not actually assist in drawing it up, as is roost

'' Cbeci viri singularis eidem negotio adjutrix adfuerit manus." Foxe,
Preface to Reformatio Legum. But neither Haddon nor Cheke was
one of the select eight. Tliese were in the first instance, Cranmer,
Ridley, Richard Cox, Peter Martyr, Rowland Taylor, Bartholomew
Traheron, John Lucas, John Gosnold : but in November, Thomas
Goodrich, Bishop of Ely, William May, and Richard Goodrich, were
substituted for Ridley, Traheron, and Gosnold. See Letter of Edward
VI. prefixed to Reformatio Legum ; and Strype, {Memorials, vol. ii. pp.
303. 479. 487.) whose statement has been preferred to the accounts of
Burnet, Reformat, vol. ii. p. 404. and vol. iii. p. 398, which are not
easily reconciled with each other.

" Harl. MSS. 426. This document is also of use in elucidating the
clause respecting the punishment of heretics. In the printed editions
the passage stands thus: <* Consumptis omnibus aliis remediis, ad ex-
** tremum ad civiles magistratus ablegetur puniendus :" whence it has
been inferred that the obstinate heretic was to be punished witli death.
But in the Harleian MS. the following limitation is added : << vel ut in
** perpetuum pellatur exilium, vel ad aeternas carceris deprimatur
''tenebras, vel alioqui pro magistratus prudenti consideratione plec-
^* tendus, ut maxime illius conversioni expedire videbitur.'* As the
code was never published by authority, it is not known with certainty,
whether or not this limitation was finally approved by the Commis-
sioners. But it proves, on any supposition, the sort of punishment
which they contemplated, and tliat death was not, as has been imagined,
the necessary consequence of being delivered into the hands of the
civil magistrate. See Lingard, Hist, of England, vol. vii. p. 128. 8vo;
Hallam, Const, Hist. vol. i. p. 138, 8vo ; Todd, {Life of Cranmer, vol.
ii. p. 333.) who considers the addition to be in the handwriting of Peter
Martyr ; bat tliis may be doubted.

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THE EDITOR. cxi

probable, his interference must be supposed to have at least
extended to the excluraon of any thing which he thought
objectionable. It may therefore be safely referred to as an
authentic record of his opinions. But it was never invested
with any legal authority ; for it was not finished soon
enough to become law under Edward VI, it was of course
laid aside in the next reign, and some subsequent attempts
to revive it have failed *.

The death of Edward VI. produced a total change in
the situation of Cranmer. The new Sovereign, instead of
valuing him as a wise and temperate reformer, looked on
him only as the author of her mother^s degradation, as a
conspirator against her own right to the crown, and as the
indefatigable propagator of heresy and schism. For all
this, however, he must have been prepared ; but he could
not have anticipated the injurious imputations which were
cast on the steadiness of his religious principles. It was
slanderously reported of him, that he had restored the Mass Declara-
at Canterbury, and had also offered to celebrate it himself ccrning the
before the Queen. This atrocious calumny provoked him^**^*553«
to draw up a warm and indignant contradiction of it, in
which he not only exposed the utter falsehood of the story,
but undertook to prove, with the assistance of Peter
Martyr and a few others, that the form of worship and
doctrine established in England in the preceding reign,
** was more pure, and more according to God's word, than
^^ any that had been used in England these thousand
years y.*" This declaration having become public through

* See Strype, Parker, p. 323 ; Todd, Life of Cranmer, vol. ii. pp.
327. 349. It was first printed in 1571, by John Daje, witli a Preface
by Foxe. Another edition appeared in 1640. Abstracts of its con-
tents may be seen in Burnet, Reformat, vol. ii. p. 405 ; Collier, Eccles,
Hi$t. vol. ii. p. 326 ; and particularly in Mr Todd*s Life of Cranmer,
voL ii. p. 329.

y Vol. iv. p. 1. There is so much more vehemence in this paper, than
in Cranmer*8 usual style, that it has been conjectured to be the pro-

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cxii PREFACE OF

the zeal of a friend, the Archbishop was summoned be-
fore the Privy Council, and appears to have been ex-
pected to apologize for its circulation. But the only ex-
pression of sorrow which could be extracted from him
was, that it had passed from his hands prematurely, since
he ^^ had intended otherwise to have made it in a more
** large and ample manner^ and minded to have set it
^^ on PauPs Church door, and on the doors of all the
^^ churches in London, with his own seal joined thereto ^.'^
Upon this bold avowal, he was removed from Lambeth,
Imprison- and sent a prisoner to the Tower, ** as well for the trea-
Tower!^ ^ ^^ ^^ ^ committed by him against the Queen's Majesty, as

duction of Peter Martyr. (Carwirhen, Hist, of the Church of England.)
But Peter Martyr was at this time in Oxford, where be was confined to
his house for six weeks in a kind of honourable imprisonment. His
arrival in London is thus described by his companion Julius Terentia-
nus. ** Venit Londinum D. Petrus. Cantuariensem antiquum et sanc-
** tissimum hospitem adit. Quis queat dicere, quam gratus fuerit ?
** Adeo illius adventum exoptaverat, ut sa;pius id a Consiliariis conten-
*' derit, et omnia bona sua vadari voluerit, si dubitarent de fuga D.
'* Petri. Cum venit ad illuro D. Petrus, narrat ei Cantuariensis, quo-
** modo affigi curaverit schedas per totum Londinum, quibus offert se
** velle probare doctrinam, quae fuit recepta sub Edvardo Sexto, sanam
'* esse, Scripturis consentaneam, eandem cum primitiva Ecclesia, et
" auctoritate Patrum veterum comprobatani, si Petrum Martyrem col-
" legam admittere velint, et unum atque alterum. Laudat factum D.

*^ Petrus, immo ni foret factum, ait se voluisse hoc illi suadere

*' Confirmarunt a|item adeo ills schedae Cantuariensis animos piorum,
<' ut jam non dubitarent pro veritate mori; et adversarios adeo exa-
** cerbarunt, ut e vestigio novum crimen proditionis in Cantuariensem
** intenderint, atque ad judicium citarint, quo tum Septembris non
<< memini, die Jovis sat scio, contigit.*' Epitt, Reformat, Helvet,
Fueslin. lxxvi. §. 9. It will be observed that Terentianus differs from
the ordinary accounts in stating, that the placarding of the Declaration
againit the Mass throughout London was not only designed, but ac-
tually executed by the Archbishop. See Vol. iv. p. 1.

' Foxe, Acts and Monuments^ vol. iii. p. 648.

* His treason consisted in signing, with other privy counsellors. King
Edward VI.'s will for settling the crown on the Lady Jane Grey. See
his own account of the affair in Letter ccxcv.

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THE EDITOR. cxiii

** for the aggravating of the same his offence, by spread-
*^ ing about seditious bills, moving tumults to the dis-
" quietness of the present state *>.^ His firmness on this
occasion, though it brought suffering on himself, is re-
lated to have done good service in reviving the courage
of the reformers c. Nor was his own constancy shaken
by the increased severity with which he was treated. Al-
though he 6ued for pardon for his political delinquency,
he expressed no regret for his innovations in the Church.
He acknowledged indeed, as he had done under the pre-
ceding reigns, that it rested not with him but with his
Sovereign " to see the reformation of things that be amiss ;*"
and he professed his determination ^^ never to be an author
" of sedition, to move subjects from the obedience of their
^^ heads and rulers, which is an offence most detestable :^
but he betrayed no disposition to shrink from the defence
of the great changes he had introduced. Confident that
they were necessary in themselves, and that they had been
sanctioned by lawful authority, he solicited permission to
write to the Queen on the subject. He felt it to be his
duty, ^^ knowing what he did, and considering the place
" which in times past he had occupied," " to show her Ma^
** jesty his mind in things appertaining to God.'' Having
once done this, he said he should ^^ think himself dis-
" charged d.^

Henceforward Cranmer's Remains consist chiefly of his
Disputations and Examinations, with the various papers aris-
ing out of them. The most prominent of these are his Dis-

*> Minutes of the Privy Council, in the Arclueologia,\oL xviii. p. 175.

« See above, note (y).

<< Vol. i. p. 363. It does not appear that the leave applied for was
ever granted, (See Strype, Cranmer, p. 321.) ; but a Letter addressed to
the Queen about two years later, may be supposed to contain «oine at
least of the sentiments which he now wished to express. See Letter
ccxcix.

VOL. I. i

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cxiv PREFACE OF

putations at Oxford in April 1554, in which he contended,
as Respondent, with Chedsey and others «, and as Oppo-
nent, with Harpsfield^; his Examination before Brokes,
Bishop of Gloucester, in Sept. 1555 s ; his Appeal at his
degradation on the 14th of Feb. 1556*^; and lastly, his
Prayer, Exhortation and Profession of Faith, at St. Mary's
Disputa- Church on the day of his martyrdom '. The Disputa-
Oxford*, t'o^s at Oxford in April 1554, were held under a com-
AprU 1554- mission from Boner, as President of the Convocation, by
which Weston, the Prolocutor of the Lower House, with
several other of. its members, a select number of divines
from Cambridge, and a similar body of representatives from
Oxford, were empowered to issue their summons to Cran-
mer, Ridley, and Latymer, and to propose to them certain
articles for public disputation. The articles proposed were
three in number, all asserting the Romish doctrines on the
Eucharist. The proceedings which followed are detailed
at length in Foxe's Acts and Monuments^ and the part
borne in them by the Archbishop, has been reprinted from
that work, with a few additions from other authorities'^.
Foxe's report was collected with great diligence, and is pro-
bably as accurate as the confused nature of the discussion,
and the unfairness of those who presided at it, allowed '.
But of course it must not be referred to as a satisfactory

« Vol. iv. p. 8. f Vol. iv. p. 67. 8 Vol. iv. p. 79.

*» Vol. iv. p. 118. 1 Vol. iv. p. 130.

^ Vol. iv. p. 4. A doubt may perhaps be raised respecting the pro-
priety of inserting in the present publication the copious extracts from
Foxe, which describe these closing scenes of Cranmer*s life. Yet a
Collection of his Remains would be very incomplete, without some re-
port of what fell from him on those trying occasions. If some report
is necessary, none is so full as that of Foxe : and this, if adopted, can
scarcely be detached altogether from his narrative. It is hoped, there-
fore, that the reader will pardon the reprinting of much matter, which
is the work of Foxe rather than of Cranmer.

* See Vol. iv. pp. 4, 7. notes (a) and (d).

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THE EDITOR. cxv

record of Cranmer'^s reasonings on the question. For that
purpose, the written controversy with Gardyner, where he
could neither be interrupted nor misrepresented, must be
consulted. It is however a very interesting memorial both
of the manners of the day^ and of the learning and ability
displayed by the Archbishop on an occaaon for which his
talents seemed to be little adapted. Being characterised by
solidity rather than quickness of thought, he was better
fitted for shining in counsel than in debate. Even his
friends therefore may have looked forward to the event with
some anxiety; and his enemies probably, giving credit to
the slander that he was not only slow but ignorant, indulged
in anticipations of an easy victory. But here they were
disappointed. Though his replies did not equal in readi-
ness and point those of his fellow-prisoner Ridley^ he yet
maintained his ground with a vigour and spirit for which
his antagonists were not prepared, and which disproved
most completely the notions in circulation "", respecting the
shallowness of his attainments and the narrow range of his
understanding.

But it was not a case in which an able defence was of any Condemna-
avail. As he persisted, together with Ridley and Latymer, heresy,
in denjring the three Articles, they were all declared guilty '554-
of heresy. It was soon however discovered that this sen-
tence was invalid. The nation had not yet been reconciled
to the Pope : and the Convocation consequently being itself
out of the pale of the Church, could not presume to sit in
judgment on others. This obstacle was removed towards
the end of 1554, when absolution was formally pronounced
by Cardinal Pole". Yet the commisaon for a new trial of

" ** Where some have reported him to be utterly unlearned, and not
** able to answer a Latin text of a doctor, he hath showed himself
<* learned both in Latin and Greek : for truly he had a better Latin
" tongue than divers that did oppose him." Letter of an Oxford
Scholar, in Foxe, Acts and Monuments^ p. 933. (ed. 1563.)

■ It was pronounced in Parliament on the 30th of November, and

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cxvi PREFACE OF

Cranmer was not issued till Sept. 1555. It proceeded, not
as before, from the President of the Convocation, but from
the Pope : and it was directed to the Cardinal de Puteo,
who nominated for his Subdelegate, James Brokes, Bishop
Examina- of Gloucester. This prelate accordingly, as the papal repre-
Brokes, sentative, held a Court in St. Mary's Church at Oxford, at
cpt 1555' ^j^ich Martyn and Story, doctors of civil law, appeared as
the Queen's proctors, and laid their charges against the
Archbishop. The interrogatories put to him on this occa-
sion led him to speak on some of the most important occur-
rences of his life, and in particular to enter at considerable
length into the grounds, on which he had formerly assisted
in throwing off the authority of the Pope, and now refused
his consent to its reestablish ment **. The Examination con-
sequently throws much light not only on his own personal
conduct, but also on the general question of the separation of
the Church of England from that of Rome. It is therefore
to be regretted, that there is some difficulty in obtaining an
accurate account of it. ThreeP reports have been preserved ;
but it unfortunately happens, that the most copious of them
may also be suspected of being the least faithful ^. Under
these circumstances, it has been thought best to reprint
them all, that the reader may want none of the materials ex-
tant for ascertaining the truth.

The examination before Bishop Brokes prepared the way

in Convocation on the 6th of December, 1554. Strype, Cranmer,
p. 345.

^ Fearful that his statements would not be faithfully transmitted to
the Queen, he comprised their substance in a long Letter addressed to
her after this examination. This Letter, which may thus be considered
to be a corrected copy of his Speech, is in fact a short treatise on the
papal supremacy. See Letter ccxcix.

P Two are preserved by Foxe ; the third is the official report from
Brokes to his principal the Cardinal de Puteo, which was first pub-
lished by Mr. Todd in the Oxford reprint of Strype's Cranmer, 1818.

1 See notes on the Examination before Brokes, Vol. iv. pp. 79. 87^
88.99.

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THE EDITOR. cxvii

for the Pope^s final sentence. This instrument, which may
be seen at length in Foxe^ after recounting Cranmer^s
contumacy > and heresy, proceeded to pronounce hb ex-
conmiunication and deprivation, and to direct him to be
delivered over to the secular power. In obedience to this DegmdA-
mandate he was degraded on the 14th of Feb. 1556, by f^^^/***'
Boner and Thirlby, having previously, according to the
example of Luther, tendered an Appeal, written with much
care and under legal advice, in which he complained of un-
righteous judgment, and demanded to be tried by the next
General Council ^ Immediately after this Appeal, or per- AppeaL
haps simultaneously with it, begins the story of his Recant-
ations ". These, even if they were better authenticated than
they have yet been, could scarcely claim a place in the present
publication. Still less can they do so, when surrounded, as
they are, with doubt and difficulty. But the same objection Prmyer, &c.
does not apply to the Prayer, Exhortation, and Profession Maiy'g.
of Faith publicly recited by him at St. Mary's just before his
death. It has indeed been asserted', that the two former of
these, as well as some of his recantations, were prepared for
him by another. But it is difficult to believe, that their sim-
ple and touching pathos could have proceeded from an ex-
ulting enemy : it surely must have flowed from the ge-
nuine sorrow of a wounded and contrite spirit. The whole
therefore of what he uttered on this occaaon, has been ad-

r Acts and M<mument$y p. 1490. (ed. 1563.) It was dated the 14th of
December 1555.

' The contumacy consisted in his not escaping from his prison at Ox-
ford, to appear according to the citation at Rome.

* Vol. iv. p. 121.

" The fourth of the recantations (which is the 6rst that bears
any date) purports to have been written on the 16th of February, only
two days after his Appeal. The sixth is dated on the 18th of March,
three days before his death. A very careful examination of this per-
plexing question will be found in Mr. Soames's Hist, <^the Reforma-
tion,

« See Vol. iv. p. 137.

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cxviii PREFACE OF

mitted without hesitation into this Collection of his Re-
mains.

The following are the chief repositories of manuscripts,
from which materials for the present publication have been
procured : the British Museum y, the Archbishop of Can-
terbury"*s Library at Lambeth *, the State Paper Office %
the Chapter House at Westminster^, the Public Li-

/ In the British Museum, besides several origiuals, there is a volume
(Harl. MSS. 6148.) containing many copies of Letters written between
April 1533 and the beginning of 1535. Mr. Ellis calls it << the Arch-
" bishop's rough copy book,'* (Orig. Letters, first series, cxiv.) and says
that " the transcripts are entirely in Cranmer's hand." {Archaologia,
vol. xviii. p. 77.) The handwriting, however, is certainly not Cranmer's,
but that of the secretary usually employed by him to write his letters.
It may be conjectured therefore to be a book, in which this secretary,
probably Ralph Morice, entered his master's correspondence. And
such seems to have been the opinion of Strype, who saw the volume,
and copied sixty-eight of the letters, but not early enough to insert
them in any of his works. His copies are now in the Lansdown Collec-
tion, (N^. 1045,) and are the authority from which several were printed
in the Christian Remembrancer for November 1820. The book itself
passed through the hands of Henry Ferrers, Ri. St. George, and Sir
Henry St. George, Garter King at Arms, and abounds with pedigrees
and other such matter; the heralds, it seems, having used it as waste
paper, and written their memoranda without scruple on the parts of the
leaves which happened to be unoccupied.

' The Lambeth Library, besides some papers already printed, has
furnished the Note$ arid Authorities on Justification.

* The Letters from the State Paper Office have, with one or two ex-
ceptions, been lately printed in the State Papers, vol. i. London, 1831 :
but the Tliirteen Articles of Faith mentioned above, p. xxii, with a few
other documents preserved in this repository, have hitherto remained
in manuscript.

^ The Chapter House contains above a hundred original Letters to
Crumwell, extending from Cranmer's elevation to the see of Canterbury
in Feb. 1533, to within a few months of Crumwell's execution in July
1540. Several of these have been recently published in Mr. Todd's
Life qfCranmer, and in the State Papers : the remainder, together with
a curious correspondence between the Archbishop and a Kentish Jns-
tice, have hitherto, it is believed, been unnoticed.

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THE EDITOR. cxix

braryS with the Libraries of Corpus Christi** aud Em-
manuel^ Colleges, Cambridge, the Bodleian Library ^ with
that of Balliol College s, Oxford, and the Several Collections
of MSS. at Zurich ^. And the best thanks of the editor
are due both to those who preade over these establishments,
and to the officers entrusted with their management, for the
readiness which has been uniformly shown to assist his re-
searches.

The authorities for each document are noted in the mar-
gin ; that which has been followed in printing, being placed
first. It will be seen that this in general is the original
manuscript, if still extant. The Letters however, taken
from 7%^ State Papers, London, 18S1, are exceptions, the
extreme care with which that most valuable publication has
been conducted, rendering the labour of collation wholly un-
necessary.

^ Some manuscript notes of the Disputation at Oxford in April 1554,
preserved in this Library, have been of service in confirming and illus-
trating the account of Foxe.

<* Much from this valuable Library was printed by Strype. It has now
afforded the means of correcting his copies, and has also supplied in ad-
dition a Sermon on Rebellion, with Letters cclxx. cclxxv. cclxxvii.

^ The authority of a manuscript in this Library has been followed in
printing The Declaratioti against the Jlfaj9,and Letters ccxcvi,ccxcvii.

^ The Bodleian Library has furnished Letter cclxx xvi, and Henry
VIIl's Corrections of 7%e Institutum of a Christian Man,

i This Library possesses a copy of Strype's Life of Cranmer^ with
MS. notes by the author, containing a transcript of Letter cclxxxi, the
original of which, it is feared, is now lost.

^ These Collections have supplied several unpublished Letters re-
lating to Cranmer's plan for assembling a congress of Reformers to
frame a joint Confession of Faith. The Library at Geneva, it was sup-
posed, contained some more, but it appears on inquiry that nothing
exists there which was not already in print. Some references in Seck-
endorf, {Comment, de Lutheran, lib. iii. §. lxvi. Add. 1. and §. lxxviii.
20.) afforded good grounds for hoping, that fiuther additions to the
Archbishop's correspondence might be obtained firom the Saxon Ar-
chives at Weimar. But here also the search that has been made, has
proved fruitless.

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cxx PREFACE OF

Some papers attributed toCranmer on insufficient grounds,
several of his official instruments, and a selection from the
public documents in the preparation of which he is sup-
posed to have had a share, have been placed in the Appen-
dix, together with some other articles, enumerated in the
Table of Contents.

The orthography has been modernised throughout. Be-
sides such general reasons as have induced the editors of
most of our standard works to adopt this practice, there are
some others peculiar to the present Collection, arising out
of the variety of sources from which its contents are drawn.
Some articles are taken from manuscripts by Cranmer him-
self; many more from papers in the handwriting of a se-
cretary ; some again are from books printed during the au-
thor'^s lifetime ; others from publications that did not ap-
pear till more than a century after his death. It is obvious,
that exact copies of these different authorities, though they
might impart an antiquated aspect to the page, would con-
vey any thing but a fair representation of the orthography,
(if such a term » can be used with propriety,) either of Cran-
mer or of his times. They would form a motley mixture,
made up from the different fancies of Cranmer himself, of
his numerous secretaries, of his still more numerous printers,
and of the several biographers and historians to whom we
are indebted for the preservation of many of his writings ^,
The reasons therefore for introducing the modern mode of
spelling are more than usually strong. But it is in the
spelling only that change has been made. Old words, old
forms of words, and old constructions have been carefully

* This may well be doubted, for when the word " property," for in-
stance, is spelt in ten different ways within a few pages, it must surely
be a question, whether any way can be pronounced to be the right one.

^ Foxe seems to have spelt according to his taste. Burnet and
Strype, particularly the former, even when they appear to retain the or-
thography of the original manuscript, sometimes deviate from it almost
as widely as from that of their own day.

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THE EDITOR. cxxi

retained ^ So that in every other point, excepting ortho-
graphy, the grammatical antiquary, it is hoped, will find
the present Collection not less useful in illustrating the pro-
gress of the English language^ than the original manuscripts
and the earlier impressions.

HENRY JENKYNS.

Oriel College, ist of March, 1833.

^ Proper names also, since their orthography is not always decidedly
fixed, have been allowed to stand without alteration in the teit. In the
notes and preface they have been spelt in what seems to have been the
most frequent method ; and on this point the judgment of the editor of
the State Papers, wherever it has been given, has been implicitly fol-
lowed.

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[ cxxiii ]

LAst of Cranmer's Writings Jrom Bale, ^^ Scripto-
'< rum lUustrium majoris Britanni^e Catalogue,
« Basil, 1559."

Inter occupationes varias in Anglico sermone composuit
Cranmerus :

CcUechismum Doctrines Christiance, * Lib. I. "Excel-
** lentissimo principi Edwardo.*" ^

Ordinationes Ecclesice RefbrmcatiB, Lib. I. " Nusquam
" excogitatum aliquid erat." ^

De Ministris Ordinandis. Lib. I. ** Clarum est omnibus
" hominibus.'" <*

De Eucharistia cum Luthero. Lib. I.

Defensionem CathoIicaB Doctrinse. lib. V. " Pro cura
" Dominid gregis mihi.*" «

Ad Veritatis Professores. lib. I. " Dominus et Servator
** noster." ^

Jwa Ecdesiastica tempore Edwardi.s Lib. I. ^^Quoniam
*• regni potestas et legum.*"

Contra Gardmeri Concionem, Lib. I.

Doctrinam Ccenae Dominicse. Lib. I. " Servator Noster
" Christus Jesus." ^

• [The Italics distinguish the works which are not contained in the
present Collection.]

^ [See Preface^ p. liv ; and Vol. i. Letter cclxxi.]

* [See Preface, p. liii ; and Appendix, N<*. xxxvi.] <* [Ibid.]
« [Vol. ii. p. 283.]

*■ [These are the first words of Cranmerus Answer to the three Arti-
cles on the Lord's Sapper proposed to him at Oxford in 1554. See
Vol. iv. p. 14.]

« [See Preface, p. cviii.]

h [The same work with the Defensio CaihoUca Doctriim mentioned

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cxxiv BALKS LIST OF

Contra Transubstantiationis Errorem. Lib. I. " Quatuor
" audivistis declaratas.*^ *

Quomodo Christus adsit in Coena. Lib. I. /^Resoluta
" jam, ut spero, transub."" ^

De Esu Coenas Dominicse. Lib. I. " Crassus Papistarum
" error de." *

De Christi Oblatione. Lib. I. '^ Maxima blasphemia et
" injur.*" in

Homelias Christianas. Lib. I. ^

Ad Ricardi Smithi Calumnias. Lib. I. " Jam nunc ob-
" tinui, candide lee.*" ^

ConfutationesVeritatum non scriptarum. Lib. I. "Nihil
" addetis ad verbum quod." P

Locos Communes ex Doctoribus. Lib. XII. " Sacrse Scrip-
" turse intellectus et." ^

De non ducenda Fr atria. ' Lib. II.

Contra Primatum Papce, Lib. II.

Adversus PapcB Purgatorium, Lib. II.

De Jicstificatione. Lib. II.

Pias Precationes, Lib. I.

Epistolas ad viros eruditos. Lib. I. ^

above; ** Servator noster Jesus Christus" being the first words of the
preface, and ^' Pro cura Dominici gregis" the first words of a letter
of dedication to Edward VI, prefixed to the Latin translation in
1553. See Vol. ii. pp. 283. 287.]

* [Vol. ii. p. 313.] k [Vol. u. p. 355.]
» [Vol. ii. p. 423.] " [Vol. ii. p. 447.]
^ [See Preface, p. xlvi. ; and Vol. ii. p. 138.]

» [Vol. iii. p. 1.] P [Vol. iv. p. 145.]

^ [These are the first words of the Table of Contents prefixed to
Cranmer's Common Place Book, preserved in the British Museum,
Royal MSS. 7 B. xi. xii. See Preface, pp. ii. Ixxiii. ; and Vol. iv. p.

' [See Preface, p. vi.]

* [" The Archbishop's Letters to learned men were never either by
'* himself or others collected into one or more books, especially at that
*' time. But it was Bale's foolish way to account to every great man

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CRANMER^S WRITINGS. cxxv

Scripsit ex carcere :

Contra Sacrificium Missa. Lib. I.
Contra Jdorationem Pa/nis. Lib. I.
Ad Reginam Mariam. Lib. I. ^
et alia qusedam.

Bibliorum translationes Anglicas pluribus in locis emen-
davity prsefationesque addidit".

^' whom he had placed in his rhapsody of writers, one book of Epi$tlet.^'
H. Wharton, Corrections qfStrype, p. 263.]

* [Vol. i. Letter ccxcix.] " [See Preface, p. cxviij

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cxxiri TANNER'S LIST OF

List qfCranmer's Writings from Tanner^ " 3%blio-
" theca Britannico-Hihemicay

ScEiPSiT :

A Preface to the English Translation of the Bible *.

A Catechism of Christian Doctrine^ 1548, by Gualter
Lynn.

Instruction into the Christian Religion. Pr. epist. " It
" is not unknown unto the bole.*" Idem hie liber cum Ca-
techismo, quia saepe mentionem facit verborum, ^^ Good
" children.''

The Ordinances or Appointments of the Reformed
Chwrch. Hie liber fuit The Book of Common Prayer^ cum
praefat. " There was never any thing."

A Book of Ordaining Ministers. Idem cum The Form
of Ordination^ &c. 1550.

A Book concerning the Eucharist with Luther.

Ecclesiastical Laws in the Time of King Edward. Hie
liber est Refi>rm€ttio Legum, &c. a 32 delegatis composita,
inter quos Cranmerus erat primarius.

A Defence of the Catholic Doctrine. Lib. V. Pr. pr.
" Our Saviour Christ Jesus according to the will." Lond.
1550. 4to; Embdae, 1557. 8vo; Latine per Joh. Chekum,
cui Archiepiscopus Latinam prsefationem addidit ded. Regi
Edw. VI. " Pro cura Dominici gregis," Lond. 1553 Y.

The Doctrine of the Lord's Supper. Lib. L Against the
Error of Transubstantiation. Lib. I. How Christ is present
in the Lord's Supper. Lib. I. Concerning eating the Lord's
Supper. Lib. I. Concerning the Offering up of Christ. Lib. I.
Hsec sunt argumenta quinque librorum Defensionis Catho-
licae Doctrinae, &c. ^

' [Vol. ii. p. 104.] y [Ibid. p. 283.] » [Vol. ii. p. 291.]

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CRANMER'S WRITINGS. cxxvii

RespoDsiooem ad Sophisticam Gardineri Cavillationem
contra Veram Doctrinam de Corpore et Sanguine Christi in
Eucharistia. Lib. V. Anglice. Pr. " I think it good, gentle
« reader,'' Lond. 1551, 4to. [fol. ?] 1680. fol. Et Latine
per Joh. Fox, MS. penes Jo. Strype. Cui libro replica-
bat Steph. Gardiner sub nomine M. Ant. Constantii, cui
etiam libro Cranmer respondere voluit, nisi mors prsevenis-
set. Tres tamen libros responsorios contexuit, quorum duo
priores Oxoniae perierunt *.

A Book of Christian Homilies. Est sc. prima pars Homi-
liarum libri tempore Edw. VI. edit.*>

A Book in Answer to the Calumnies of Richard Smith.
Pr. « I have now obtained.'' Lond. 1551. 4to. [fol. ?] 1580.
fol.c

Confutations of Unwritten Verities ; written against Rich.
Smith's book De Veritatibus non scriptis ; qui liber Latine
scriptus, sed nunquam, ut mihi quidem videtur, in ea lingua
impressus fuit. Pr. translationis, " You shal put nothyng
" to the word." Anglice per E. P. cum praefatione doc-
Ussima, Lond. 1582, 4to.«*

Twelve Books of Common Places^ taken out of the doctors^.

Concerning the Unlawfulness of marrying the Brother'*s
Wife. Lib. II. Hie liber primus esse videtur, quern jussu Re-
gis Henrid VIII. conscripsit. In MS. Cotton. Vespasian,
B. 5. sunt articuli xii. ex quibus demonstratur divortiuni
inter Hen. VIII. et Reginam Catharinam necessarie esse fa-
ciendum. Pr. "Affinitas^"

Against the Pope's Supremacy, Lib. II. Heec forte fuit
declaratio episcoporum 1536, contra suprematum Papse et
contra Poli Ecclesiasticam Unionem %.

* [See Preface, p. xcvii ; and Vol. iii. p. 25.]
*> [See Preface, p. xlvi ; and Vol. ii. p. 138.]

« [See Preface, p.lxxxviii; and Vol. iii p. 1.] «* [Vol. iv. p. 145.]

« [See above, p. cxxit. note (q).] ^ [See Preface, p. viii.]

8 [See Strype, Cranmer^ pp. 44, 52 ; Lord Herbert, lAfe of Hen, VIII,
p. 418 ; Foxe, Acts, &c. vol. ii. p. 346.]

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cxxviii TANNER^S LIST OF

Against the Pope's Purgatory. Lib. II.

Concerning Justification, Lib. II. Hi duo ultimi libri
videntur esse tractatus hujus argumenti ad finem libri, The
Institution of a Christian Man,

Pious Prayers, Lib. I. Forte orarium, sive libellus pre-
cationum, a Rege et clero editus, 1545**.

Against the Sacrifice ofMa^s ; and against the Adoration
of the Bread, Lib. I. Script us hie liber in carcere, et vide-
tur esse pars prima Responsi ad Gardinerum^ sub nomine
Constantii K

Twelve questions about alms, fasting, the mass, &c. by
Archbishop Cranmer, MS. C.C.C.C. Misc. B. p. 2311^.

His Declaration concerning the slanderous Reports of his
setting up Mass again. Ibid. p. 321 ; et Strype, in Vita
Cranmer. p. 305. Pr. "As the Devil l.''

Disputationes Oxonise, April 16, 1554. Fox, p. 1430.
seqq."'

Submissiones et Recantationes ejus vi. cum Oratione ad
Populum ante Mortem. Vis. et exam, per £dm. Episc.
London. Extant Angl. et Latine, London, 1556. 4'^."

Protestationem contra Jurisdictionem Episcopi Romani.
Extat in Cancil, M, Brit, et Hib, vol. iii. p. 757°.

Mandatum de Festo S. Marci Evangelistae celebrando.
Ibid. p. 826 P.

Aliud, De non celebrandis Festis Diebus in Concil. Pro-
vinc. abrogatis. Ibid. p. 827 ^i.

Literam commissionalem Rich. Episcopo Dovor. Ibid.
p.'828^ Et Strype in Vita Cranmer. App. p. 41.

Injunctions given to the Diocese of Hereford. Ibid,
p. 843^.

^ [See Todd, Life of Cranmer , vol. ii. p. 523.]
* [See Preface, p. xcvii.] k [Vol. ii. p. 178.]

1 [Vol. iv, p. 1.] «" [Vol. iv. p. 4.]

" [Appendix, N°. xliv.] ° [Appendix, N°. i.]

P [Appendix, N<*. ix.] <J [Appendix, N^ x.]

f [Appendix, N°. xi.] » [Vol. ii. p. 19.]

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CRANMER'S WRITINGS. cxxix

Mandatum de Nominibus Beneficiatorum et Beneficio-
rum. Ibid. p. 867 ^

Statutum de Numero Procuratorum curiae Cant, confir-
matum a T. C. Ibid. p. 868 «.

ConstituUonem de moderato Apparatu Escarum. Ibid,
p. 86a ^.

Mandatum pro Orationibus pro Cessatione Pluviae. Ibid,
p. 868y.

Epistolas varias. 1. M. Bucero post mortem Fagii, MS.
C.C.C.C. Misc. ii. p. 27. Epistolae duae ad M. Parkerum.
Ibid. Misc. i. 391. quarum una extat Strype, in Vita Par-
ker, p. 28. Epistola Lat. Jo. Vadiano, 1637. super Con-
troversia de Ccena Domini orta. Strype, in Vita Cranmer,
App. N°. XXV. Epistolae VI. extant ad finem Responsionis
ad Gardinerum^ Lond. 1680. fol. Epistolae duae ad Regi-
nam, et altera ad Doct. Martin et Story, ex carcere Oxon.
Pr. primae. " It may please your Majesty,'' 1666. 8°. Epi-
stola ad Edwardum Principem. Fox, 1396. Epistola ad
Concilium sacrum, e carcere Oxon. Fox, 1464. Epistolae
XVII. Anglicae et III. Latinae, extant apud Strype, in Vita
Cranmer, in Append, et in libro ipso VI. ejus Epistolae z.

Protestatibnem contra Juramentum Papee praestitum.
Strype, in Vita Cranm. Append. N°. v.*

Three Discourses of Faith, Justification, and Forgiveness
of Injuries, occasioned upon his Review of the King's Book,
entitled, The Erudition of a Christian Man. Strype, Cranm,
App. No. XXVI. ^

Other Discourses: De Consolatione Christianorum contra
Metum Mortis; item. Exhortation to take Adversity and
Sickness patiently. Ibid. N^. xxxii.c

' [Appendix, N°. xvi.] " [Appendix, N°. xix.]

* [Appendix, N". xviii.] y [Appendix, N'*. xxi.]

* [See Contents of Vol. i.] * [See above, p. cxxviii. (o).]
t> [Vol. ii. p. 66.] "= [Appendix, N°. xx.]

VOL. I.

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cxxx BALE'S LIST, &c.

Answers to the XV Articles of the Rebels, Devon. 1649.
Ibid. No. xL.^

Notes for an Homily against the Rebellion. Ibid. N^. xli.^

Speech at the Coronation of King Edward. Strype, in
Vita Cranmer, p. 144 ^

Articles in the Visitation of the Diocese of Canterbury,
2 Edw. VI. Pr. " First, whether parsons, vicars, &c.'' Ex-
tant in Collect, Canon. Sparrow S.

^ [Vol. ii. p. 202.] « [Vol. ii. p. 245.]

f [Vol. ii. p. 1 18.] « [Vol. ii. p. 185.]

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[ cxxxi ]

Ust qfCranmer's Wriiings.Jrom Mr. Todd's Life
of Cranmer, vol. ii. p. 519.

A LONG Speech in the House of Lords in 1584, discuss-
ing the propriety of a Greneral Council, and denouncing the
Authority of the Pontiffs.

A Speech in Convocation in 1536, defending the Opinion
of Alexander Aless concerning the Sacraments of Baptism
and the Lord'^s Supper^.

Answers to Questions concerning Confirmation, 1587^.

Considerations submitted to King Henry in order to a
further Reformation, 1537 ^.

Injunctions given at his Viatation of the See of Hereford,
1638 c.

Preface to the Translation of the Bible, in 1589, first
printed in 1540 ^

Articles intended to be the Doctrine of the Church of
England, 1540 s.

Answers to Seventeen Questions concerning the Sacra-
ments, previously to the publication of the Necessary Doc-
trine, in 1543^.

Three brief Discourses on his Review of the Necessary

' [Vol. ii. p. 11. Burnet speaks of another discourse by Cranmer
about the same tiroe, on the power of bishops, and the authority of a
Christian prince to make them do their duty; but expresses his fear
that it is lost. Reformat, vol. i. p. 359.]

b [Vol. ii. p. 16.] « [Vol. ii. p. 18.]

rf [Appendix, N^ vii.] « [Vol. ii. p. 19.]

^ [Vol. ii. p. 104.]

« [See Preface, p. xxii. and Appendix, N°. xiii.]

»» [Vol. ii. p. 98.]

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cxxxii TODD^S LIST OF

Doctrine, entitled^ Faith, Justification, and Forgiveness of
Injuries i.

Other Annotations on this Review K

Parts of three other Discourses against the fear of Death,
and on patience in Sickness and Adversity ^

Collection of Passages from the Canon Law, to show the
necessity of reforming it, about the year 1644 ™.

Speech to Edward the Sixth at his Coronation, 1646-7 ".

Speech in ConvoccUion to the Clergy ^ 1547 ®.

The Homilies on Salvation, Faith, and Good Works,
1647 P.

Answers to Questions concerning the Mass, 1647 *J.

Additions to the Translation of Justtis JancuPs Cate-
chism, 1648'.

Against Unwritten Verities, 1648 «.

Articles to be inquired into at his Visitation, 1648^.

Preface to the Book of Common Prayer, entitled, " Con-
" ceming the Service of the Church," 1548-9".

Answers to the Fifteen Articles of the Devonshire Re-
bels, 1649 ».

Notes for a Homily on the subject of Rebellion, 1649 y.

Defence of the True and Catholic Doctrine of the Sacra-
ment of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, 1560 *.

Vindication of the Defence in Answer to Bishop Gardi-
ner and Dr. Smith, 1651 *.

Pious Prayers ^.

Declaration against the Mass, 1663 ^.

» [Vol. ii. p. 66, &c.] k [Vol. ii. p. 65, &c.]

» [Appendix, N°. xx.] ™ [Vol. ii. p. 1.]

n [Vol. ii. p. 118.J « [See Preface, p. I.]

P [Vol. ii. p. 138.] ^ [Vol. ii. p. 178.]

^ [See Preface, p. Iv.]

' [Vol. iv. p. 145 ; and Appendix N**. xxxv.

» [Vol. ii. p. 185.] " [Appendix, N^. xxxvi.]

« [Vol. ii. p. 202.] y [Vol. ii. p. 245.]

^ [Vol. ii. p. 275.] » [Vol. iii. pp. 1, 25.]

»> [See above, p. cxxviii.J « [Vol. iv. p. 1.]

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CRANMER'S WRITINGS. cxxxiii

Disputation at Oxford, 1554 <^.
Speech before the Papal Commissioners, 1555 ^.
Appeal to a General Council, 1555-6 ^
Speech at his Martyrdom, 1555-6 s.

«» [Vol. iv. pp. 4, 67.] « [Vol. iv. pp. 83. 110.]

f [Vol. iv. p. 121.] g [Vol. iv. p. 135.]

[The above are described by Mr. Todd as having be^n printed en-
tire or in part. " Of his papers which have been saved," he proceeds
to state, " some are in the library at Lambeth Palace, more in that of
'^ Corpus Christi College, Cambridge ; some in that of the State Paper
" Office of the realm, with several of his letters; more, of the latter de-
*' scription especially, in the British Museum ; a large collection of his
*' letters also in the Chapter House at Westminster ; some at Geneva
*^ and at Zurich; some that were in possession of the late Dr. Gloucester
'^ Ridley; and some in the library of Emmanuel College, Cambridge.''
Among the works not now to be found, Mr. Todd mentions, besides
those in the lists of Bale and Tanner,
" Reasons against the Six Articles." See Preface, p. xxvi.
** Confutation of eighty-eight Articles, devised and proposed by aCon-
'* vocation in Henry's reign." See Foxe, ActSy &c. vol. iii. p. 647 ;
Strype, Cranmer, pp. 75. 395; Memorials, vol. i. p. 354.]

VOL

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FACSIMILES.

No. I. Facsimile of Cranmer^s earZi^^^ handwriting, from his
Letter to the Earl of Wiltshire in 1531.

No. II. Facsimile of Cranmer**s latest handwriting, from his
"* Answer to the Devonshire rebels in 1549.

^o. III. Facsimile of the handwriting of Cranmer's prin-
cipal Secretary.

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f/^y. (!o/!^m.

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/ /'

LETTERS.

I. To THE Earl of Wiltshire ».

It may please your lordship to be advertised, that the Lansdowne
King his Grace, my lady your wife, my lady Anne your ^j^* ^'^
daughter, be in good health, whereof thanks be to God. s^nai* Ho-

As concerning the King his cause. Master Raynolde Poole g^I^ *
hath written a book c much contrary to the King his purpose, Cranmer,
with such wit, that it appeareth that he might be for his^' ?^'*

o/Otm-

» [Thomas Boleyn, the father of Queen Anne Bolevn, created Earl '"'!'; ^°** *'
ofWiltshire, Dec.8, 1529.] ' ^'^

^ [Tills Letter seems to have been written in 1531, during an interval
passed by Cranmer in England between his embassy to Rome when he
presented bis book on the divorce to the Pope, and his mission into
Germany to the Emperor. He was probably residing at this time with
the Boleyn family, as had been the case before be accompanied the
Earl to Italy. See Todd, L^e of Cranmer y vol. i. p. SO. wnere some
errors of Strype respecting this Letter are corrected.]

^ [This was doubtless the ^' book,'* which Pole some years afterwards
said he had delivered to the King with '' secretness.'* Burnet, Ref.
vol. iii. App. B. iii. No. 51. This '^ secretness'' explains that silence of
the histonans, and even of his biographer Beccatelli respecting it, which
led Anthony Wood to maintain that it was never written. Athene
Oxen. vol. i. p. 13S. Phillips relates, (and his account, though it has
been questioned, seems worthy of credit,) that Pole first dedared his

X' lion on the divorce to Uenr^ VIII. at a personal interview, and
rwards, with a view of softening the Kine's displeasure, '^ sent his
'' reasons in writing, with an assurance, which he knew would be accept-
" able, that the purport of the letter had been communicated to no-
" body." Phillips,ii/c of Poky p. 68. Mr. Todd objects to Phillips's
term <^ letter," as applied to what both Cranmer and Pole called a
** book :" but at that time the word " book" was used indifferently for
a volume or a single sheet. See Vocabulary to State Papers, vol. i.]

VOL, I. B

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2 LETTERS. [1631.

wisdom of the council to the King his Grace; and of such
eloquence, that if it were set forth and known to the com-
mon people, I suppose it were not possible to persuade them
to the contrary. The principal intent whereof is, that the
King his Grace should he content to commit his great cause
to the judgment of the Pope ; wherein me seemeth he lacketh
much judgment. But he suadeth that with such goodly
eloquence, both of words and sentence, that he were like to
persuade many, but me he persuadeth in that point nothing
at all. But in many other things he satisfieth me very well.
The sum whereof I shall shortly rehearse.

First, he showeth the cause wherefore he had never plea-
sure to intromit himself in this cause, and that was the
trouble which was like to ensue to this realm thereof by di-
versity of titles ; whereof what hurt might come, we have
had example in our fathers^ days by the titles of Lancaster
and York. And whereas God hath given many noble gifts
unto the King his Grace, as well of body and mind, as also
of fortune; yet this exceedeth all other, that in him all
titles do meet and come together, and this realm is re-
stored to tranquillity and peace ; so oweth he to provide, that
this land fall not again to the foresaid misery and trouble ;
which may come as well by the people within this realm,
(which think surely that they have an heir lawful already,
with whom they all be well content, and would be sorry to
have any other, and it would be hard to persuade them to
take any other, leaving her,) as also by the Emperor, which
is a man of so great power, the Queen being his aunt, the
Princess his niece, whom he so much doth and ever hath
favoured.

And where he heard reasons for the King his party, that
he was moved of God his law, which doth straitly forbid
and that with many great threats, that no man shall marry
his brother his wife : and as for the people, that longeth not
to their judgment, and yet it is to be thought that they will
be content, when they shall know that the ancient doctors of
the Church, and the determinations of so many great uni-
versities be of the King his sentence : and as concerning

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1531.] LETTERS. 3

the Emperor, if he be so unrightful that he will maintain an
unjust cause, yet God will never fail them that stand upon
his party, and for any thing will not transgress his command-
ments: and beside that, we shall not lack the aid of the
French King, which partly for the league which he hath
made with us, and partly for the displeasure and old grudge
which he beareth toward the Emperor, would be glad to
have occasion to be avenged : these reasons he bringeth for
the King's party against his own opinion.

To which he maketh answer in this manner. First, as
touching the law of God, he thinketh that if the King were
pleased to take the contrary part, he might as well justify
that, and have as good ground of the Scripture therefore,
as for that part which he now taketh. And yet if he thought
the King's party never so just, and that this his marriage were
undoubtedly against God'*s pleasure, then he could not deny
but it should be well done for the King to refuse this mar-
riage, and to take another wife: but that he should be a
doer therein, and a setter forward thereof, he could never
find in his heart. And yet he granteth that he hath no
good reason therefore, only affection which he beareth and
of duty oweth unto the King's person. For in so doing he
should not only weaken, yea and utterly take away the
Princess's title, but also he must needs accuse the most and
chief part of all the King's life hitherto, which hath been
so infortunate to live more than twenty years in a matri-
mony so shameful, so abominable, so bestial and against
nature, (if it be so as the books which do defend the King's
party do say,) that the abomination thereof is naturally
written and graven in every man's heart, so that none ex-
cusation can be made by ignorance ; and thus to accuse the
noble nature of the King's Grace, and to take away the title
of his succession, he could never find in his heart, were
[the] King's cause never so good ; which he doth knowledge
to be only affection.

Now as concerning the people, he thinketh not possible
to satisfy them by learning or preaching ; but as they now

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4 LETTERS. [1631.

do begin to hate priests, this shall make them rather to hate
much more both learned men and also the name of learning,
and bring them in abomination of every man. For what
loving men toward their prince would gladly hear, that
either their prince should be so infortunate, to live so many
years in matrimony so abominable, or that they should be
taken and counted so bestial, to approve and take for
lawful, and that so many years, a matrimony so unlawful
and so much against nature, that every man in his heart
naturally doth abhor it ; and, that is more, when they hear
this matrimony dispraised and spoken against, neither by
their own minds, nor by reasons that be made against this
matrimony, can they be persuaded to grudge against the
matrimony ; but for any thing they do grudge against the
divorce, wherein the people should show themselves no men
but beasts. And that the people should be persuaded hereto,
he cannot think it.

And as for the authority of the universities, he thinketh
and sayeth that many times they be led by affections, which
is well known to every man, and wisheth that they never
did err in their determinations. Then he showeth with how
great difficulty the universities were brought to the Eing^s
party. And moreover against the authority of the univer-
sities, he setteth the authority of the Eing^s Grace^s father and
and his Council, the Queen'^s father and his Council, and the
Pope and his Council.

Then he cometh again to the Pope, and the Emperor,
and French Eing. And first the Pope, how much he is ad-
versary unto the Eing^s purpose, he hath showed divers
tokens already, and not without a cause; for if he should
consent to the Eing'^s purpose, he must needs do against his
predecessors, and also restrain his own power more than it
hath been in time past, which rather he would be glad to
extend ; and moreover he should set great sedition in many
realms, as in Portugal, of which Eing the Emperor hath
married one «ster, and the Duke of Savoy the other. Then
he extoUeth the power of the Emperor and diminish [eth] the

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1681.] LETTERS, 6

aid of the French King toward us^ saying, that the Emperor, )
without drawing of any sword, but only by forbidding the'
course of merchandise into Flaunderes and Spayne, may
put this reahn into great damage and ruin. And what if
he will thereto draw his sword, wherein is so much power,
which being of much less power than he is now, subdued
the Pope and the French King. And as for the Frenchmen,
[they] never used to keep league with us but for their own
advantage, and we can never find in our hearts to trust
them. And yet if now contrary to thdr old nature they
keep their league, yet our nation shall think themselves in
miserable condition, if they shall be compelled to trust upon
their aid, which always have be our mortal enemies, and
never we loved them, nor they us. And if the Frenchmen
have any suspicion that this new matrimony shall not con-
tinue, then we shall have no succour of them^ but upon such
conditions as shall be intolerable to this realm. And if they,
following their old nature and custom, then do break league
with us, then we shall look for none other, but that Eng-
land shall be a prey between the Emperor and them. After
all this he cometh to the point to save the King's honour,
saying, that the King standeth even upon the brink of the
water, and yet he may save all his honour ; but if he put
forth his foot but one step forward, all his honour is
drowned. And the means which he hath devised to save the
King^s honour is this<^.

The rest of this matter I must leave to show your lord-
ship by mouth when I speak with you, which I purpose,
God willing, shall be tomorrow, if the King^s Grace let me
not. Now the bearer maketh such haste that I can write
no more, but that I hear no word from my benefice, nor
master Uusselps] servant is not yet returned again, whereof
I do not a little marvel. The King and my lady Anne
rode yesterday to Wyndsowere, and this night they be
looked for again at Hampton Court ; God be their guide,

<* [As has beeu observed by Strype and Mr. Todd, the beginning of
the Letter shows, that the means devised were, for the King to be
" content to commit his great cause to the judgment of the Pope.'']

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6 LETTERS. [15S2.

and preserve your lordship to his most pleasure. From
Hampton Court this xiii. day of June, [1631 «.]

Your most humble headman,

Thomas Cranmar f.

II. To King Henry Vllle.

Strypc, Pleaseth it yo\^r Highness to understand, that at my last

App?No!^ii. solicitation unto Monsieur Grandeveile for an answer of the
fr??..^?*" . contract of merchandise between the merchants of your

W. H 1CK6S 8

MSS. Grace's realm, and the merchants of the Emperor'*8 Low
Countries ; the said Monsieur Grandeveile*^ showed me,
that forsomuch as the Diet concerning the said contract was
lately held in Flaundres, where the Queen of Hungary * is
Governatrice, the Emperor thought good to do nothing
therein without her advice, but to make answer by her ra-
ther than by me. Wherefore it may please your Grace no
further to look for answer of me herein, but of the Queen,
unto whom the whole answer is committed.

Moreover, when the said Monsieur Grandeveile inquired
of me, if I had any answer of the aid and subsidy, which
the Emperor desired of your Grace, I reported unto him
fully your Grace's answer, according unto mine instructions
sent unto me by your Grace's servant, William Paget. Which

« [According to Strype, 1530 was the date of this Letter, but Mr. Todd
has sufficiently proved that it was written in 1531, Life of Cranmer,
vol. i. p. 30.]

^ [It is remarkable that in this, which is the only instance in the col-
lection, where the Archbishop's surname appears written by his own
hand, the orthography should differ from that which has been generally
adopted.]

8 [This and the following Letter are reports sent home to the King by
Cranmer, when ambassador to the Emperor Charles V. His appoint-
ment to this post bears date the 24th of January 1531, i. e. as Secken-
dorf rightly observes, 1532, according to the new style. Strype seems
to have understood it othenvise. Seckcndorf, Comment, de Lutheran.
lib. III. §. xvi. Add.; Strype, Cranmer, p. 8. (ed. Oxf. 1812.)]

^ [For an account of this celebrated minister of Charles V, and of his
still more celebrated son, Cardinal Granvelle,see Biographk XJniverselle,
vol. xviii]

* [Mary, the sister of Charles V, Queen Dowager of Hungary, and
Governess of the Netherlands.]

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1682.] LETTERS. 7

answer he desired me to deliver him in writing, that he
might refer the same truly unto the Emperor, and so I
did. Nevertheless the Emperor, now at his departing'^,
hath had such importune business, that Monsieur Grande-
veile assigned me to repair unto the Emperor again at
Lintz, for there, he said, I shall have an answer again in
writing. The French ambassador and I with all diligence do
make preparation to furnish ourselves of waggons, horsed,
ships, tents, and other things necessary to our voyage ; but
it will be at the least eight or ten days, before we can be
ready to depart hence. Yet we trust to be at Lyntz before
the Emperor ; for he will tarry by the way at Passaw ten or
twelve days.

As for the Turk, he resideth still in Hungary in the
same place environed upon all parts, whereof I wrote
unto your Highness in my last letters. And the Emperor
departed from Abagh toward Vienna the second day of this
month by land, not coming by this town ; but the same day
the King Ferdinando* departed from this town by water,
and at Passaw, fourteen miles hence, they shall meet, and so
pass forth unto Lyntz, which is the midway from hence
unto Vienna. And there the Emperor will tarry to counsel
what he will do"^ : and there all the ambassadors shall know
his pleasure, as Monsieur Grandeveile showed me.

I have sent herewith unto your Grace the copy of the Era-
peror'^s proclamation >> concerning a General Council, and a
reformation to be had in Germany for the controversies of

^ [The Emperor was now on the point of setting out to take the com-
mand of the combined forces of Germany, Spain, and Italy, against the
Turks under Solyman. See the next Letter.]

1 [Brother and successor to Charles V. in the empire; King of Hun-
gary and Bohemia, 15*i7, King of the Romans, 1531.]

"* [The resolution to which he came was, to encamp his whole array
near Vienna, and there to await the enemy. Sleidan, De Statu Religio-
nis, lib. Tiii.j

" [This must have been the edict of the 3rd of Aug. 1538; by which
the Emperor, on the conclusion of tlie treaty of Nuremberg, aimounced
a general peace in Germany until the meeting of a General, Christian,
and free Council. The protesrants on their part engaged to assist the
Emperor against the Turks. The contingent of troops and money which
each state was bound to furnish, is alluded to in the next sentence.
See Seckendorf^ Comment, de Lutheran, lib. in §. ix. (lif); Robertson^
Charles V.]

h 4

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8 LETTERS. [1632.

the ffiith. Also I have sent the tax of all the states of the
empire^ how many soldiers every man is limited unto for the
aid against the Turk. Wherein your Grace may percdve^
that the greatest prince in Germany (only the Duke of Bur-
gondy and Austry except) is not appointed above 120
horsemen and 654 footmen. Thus our Lord evermore
have your Highness in his preservation and governance.
From Regenspurgh the iv. day of September. [1582.]
Your Grace^s most humble subject,
chaplain, and headman,

Thomas Cranmer.

III. To King Henry VIII.

Cottoo ^ Pleaseth it your Highness to understand, that [the Empe-

MSS.Vitcl- j^Y hath made] such speed in his journey toward Spayne,
fol.'79' that [he hath travelled] two hundred English miles from
C^r««o'> Vienna, and is [now at a] town called Villach, but six
graph, Dutch miles from Italy, [from whence, if] possible, he in-
tendeth to pass the seas into Spayne bef[ore Chri]stmasP.
But in his passage through Italy he will speak [with the]
Pope, with whom, among other matters, I suppose he will
tr[eat of] a General Council to be had this next year to come,
accordi[ng] to his promise unto the princes of Almayne
at this last Di[et]<). And I do think that he will not forget
to make mention u [nto the] Pope of your Grace'^s great cause,
' wherein I humbly beseech your Highness that I may be in-
structed of your pleasure what I shall do. Because the
said meeting should not much empech the Emperor'*s long
[journey] into Spayne, he hath directed letters unto the
Pope, to meet' him [at] some place in his way toward Genua.

** [This Letter is injured by fire. Some of the deficiencies have been
supplied by conjecture.]

P [He did not land in Spain before April in the following year. Ro-
bertson, CharUi V.]

<) [See note (n) to Letter IL]

' rThey met at Bolofijna. See for an account of the interview, Secken-
dor^ Comm. de Lath, hb. in. §. xi. (2); or Robertson, Char la F.]

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1682-] LETTERS. 9

What place that shall be, is not yet known, as Monsieur
Grandeveile informed me, but I shall certify your Grace as
soon as I shall have sure knowledge thereof: but I fear that
the Emperor will depart thence, before my letters may come
unto your Graoe^s hands. And if not, I beseech your Grace
of instructions, what I shall entreat with your Grace^s ambas-
sadors^ unto the Pope's holiness, if we meet together, as I
suppose we shall.

As touching the Emperor'^s army of Italians and Spany-
ardes that came out of Italy, in their coming to Vienna by
Isprugh, Passaw, Lintz, and other places adjoining to the
waters of Enus and Danubius, they have done great damage
unto all the countries that they have passed by, as I wrote
unto your Highness in my last letters, dated the second day
of this month ; but now, in returning again into Italy by
another way through Austria, Stiria, and Carinthia, the
Italians have done much more harm. For eight^ thousand
of them, which were conducted hither per Comitem Sancti
Secundi, Martionem Colump . . . Comitem Philippum Tor-
nierum, et Jo. Baptista Castoldum, for indignation that the
Emperor would not prosecute the Turk, and for lack of pay-
ment of their wages, departed from the Emperor and from
their captmns, and chose capt^n among themselves, and
went before the Emperor, spoiling and robbing all the coun-
tries of Austria, Styria, and Carinthia, more than two hun-
dred English miles in length, as well churches as other
houses, not leaving monstral nor the sacrament. And the
men of arms that come with the Emperor, and other that
follow the court, do con[sume] all that the other left, in such
sort, that I, following two days after the Emparor from
Vienna, found in no town that was unwalled, man, woman,

* rSir Edward Karrie, Dr. Bennet, and Sir Thomas EJyot, were Henry
VIII/s ambassadors with the Pope at this time. In consequence of
Queen Catharine's appeal, an advocation oftlie divorce cause to Rome
had been granted; and it was now pressed by her party that the King,
should appear there by proxy. Henry refused, and was labouring to
procure a commission to try tlie question in England. See Burnet,
Kef. vol. i. p. 24^; Strype, MemariaU, vol. i. p. 291 ; and S(ate Paperty
vol. i. pp. 336, 346, 347.1

' [See Knolles, Hut. of the Turks, for a full account of this mutiny.]

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10 LETTERS. [1532.

nor child, meat, drink, nor bedding : but, thanked be God,
I found straw, hay, and com, for my horses to eat, and for
myself and my servant to lie in, but the people were all fled
into [the] mountains for fear.

The said Italians not only robbed the towns, but also ra-
vished the [wo] men, and beat the men, and slew many.
And yet cometh after the Emperor, [the] captain called Fa-
bricius Maromaus^ with his band about three thousand, who
brenneth up all the towns which before were but spoiled, as
I am informed by two of my servants which I left at Vienna,
the one ack, and the other to keep him ; and they told me
that all the towns by the way, so far as Fabricius Maromaus
hath gone, be clean brent up, so much that not one house is
standing, except in such strong holds as they could not attain
unto. And yet one walled town they have entered into and
spoiled, which the otiier that went before durst not attempt to
assault ; the name of it is Newmarkes, and a servant of mine
was present, when they brake the gates and slew the por-
ters. Of this sacking and brenning is like to ensue great
penury and default of all victuals, and specially of com ; for
so much as the corn here is brent up, whereupon the people
should live this year, and sow their land against the next
)year. Thus is this country miserably oppressed of all par-

I ties, but much more by them that came to defend this coun-

/ try, than it was by the Turks.

So^ that hitherto I can see no great fruit that haih suc-
ceeded of this puissant army assembled against the Turk.
For it heUh alienated the minds of the Ahnainsjrom the
Italians and Spenyardes much more than ever they were be-

Jbre. And moreover^ as fir as I can understand^ it hath
not a little diminished the minds^ as well of the Italians as
Almai/ns towards the Emperor^ because that he so shortly
hath dissolved the said army that came to him with so good
courages^ and he hath not prosecuted the said enterprise

" [lie is called by Knolles, Fabricius Maramaldus. Discontent at his
appointment to the command was one of the causes of the mutiny.]

^ [The passages in Italics were written in cypher in the original^ but
have been decyphered in the margin.]

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1582.] LETTERS. 11

ctgahhst the Turk throughout ail Hungary and Greece, ac-
cording to their expectation ; but now the men of anns be
much dispkased^ and many of them do say openly^ that
they will never return at his calling h-ereaflery.

And now the husbandmen of this country be in such a
tumultuation for the loss of their goods and the brenning of
their houses, that they muster together upon the mountains,
and with guns and stones do slay many of the Emperor^s
people. And in divers places they come down from the
mountains in the night, and do slay all the small companies
that they may find sleeping. And many times they come
down in the day in good companies, and rob carriages that
do follow the court, and slay as many as will withstand
them. So much that they have slain many gentlemen of
the court, and yesterday they slew three or four gentlemen
of Burgon, for whose death the Emperor is right pensive.

"i ['* The protestnnts, as a testimony of their gratitude to the Emperor,
*■*' exerted themselves with extraordinary zeal, and brought into the field
'< forces that exceeded in number the quota imposed on them; thecatho-
'' lies imitating their example, one of the greatest and best appointed
'* armies thut had ever been levied in Germany, assembled near Vienna.
*' Being joined by a body of Spanish and Italian veterans under the
" Marquis dal Guasto, by some heavy armed cavalry from the Low
<< Countries, and by the troops which Ferdinand had raised in Bohemia,
'* Austria, and his other territories, it amounted in all to ninety thou-
'* sand disciplined foot, and thirty thousand horse, besides a prodigious
•* swarm of irregulars. Of this vast army, worthy the first prince in
" Christendom, the Emperor took the command in person; and mankind
'< waited in suspense tne issue of a decisive battle between the two
" greatest monarchs in the world. But each of them dreading the
" other*s power and good fortune, they both conducted their operations
'' with such excessive caution, that a campaign, for which such immense
** preparations had been made, ended without any memorable event.
'' Solyraan, finding it impossible to gain ground upon an enemy always
*'*' attentive and on bis guard, marched back to Constantinople towards
** the end of autumn.^ Robertson, Charles V, The discontent which
the Emperor provoked by not pursuing his advantage, is mentioned
by the historians, but is no where so fully described as by Cranmer.
** Taxant Casarem," says Seckendorf, " scriptores Hungari, et cum
'* iis Pallavicinus, (lib. iii. c.xi. §. 1.) quod in Hispaniam ad uxorem
<< prolis generandae cupidus, Ferdinando fratre deserto, festinasset. Mag-
" na autem culpae pars Pontifici tribuenda est. Hujus enim copis, cum
** reliquias belli in Pannonia persequi debuissent, seditione facta Ita-
'* liam repetierunt, hostiliter in ditione Austriaca incendiis grassatse, sic
<< vindicare se dictitantes quae Germani in Italia (sub Borbonio scilicet
" et Transpegio) patrassent." Seckend. Comm. de Lutheran, lib. in.
§. xi.]

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12 LETTERS. [1532.

But the boors put no difference between one man and an-
other, for all that go with the Emperor be to them Italians
and Spanyardes. They have also slain the ambassador of
Mantua, as the constant fame hath been here continually
these three days. And the legate de Medices^, at a town six
miles hence called St. Vite, was taken prison [er, but was re-
leased] by favour of the Emperor^s letters ; but after in
another place [they would have] slain him, if he had not
escaped with good horses ; [they slew] one of his men of

arms with an arquebuse, and took Mon whom your

Grace knoweth right well, and he had been sl[ain by the
stroke of] an halberd, if the stroke had not light short :
nevertheless [his clothes] upon his breast were cut down
with the stroke unto the bare [flesh] ; and afterwards they
led him into the mountains almost two days, and [would]
have slain him, if one man had not been his friend. And
[since] is word brought, that four of the said legate's car-
riages be robbed, [which] came after the Emperor, and every
day we hear of much murder and [rob]bing done by the
boors. And yet all these dangers, than[ked be God,] I have
escaped, but these two days to come I shall be [in] more
jeopardy of the boors, than I was at any time yet : never-
theless, He that conducted me safely hither, I trust He will
likewise conduct me into Italy and Spayne, and afterward to
Englande again.

Don Ferdincmdo is not much beloved in these parts^
neither of the princes that be cuifoining to them^ nor also of
his own subjects. And this wasting of this country is like
to augment the murmur of the people against him^ where-
upon numy men do fear an insurrection to JoUow very
sliorUyy wheretmto this commotion of the commons is a very
preparative. Deus omnia vertat in glorium suam : Jbr here-

^ [Guicciardini relates, that the Emperor ordered both the legate, Car-
dinal Hippol^tns de Medici, and Pietro Maria Rosso, to whom the mu-
tiny was ascribed, to be arrested, but that he released the cardinal witli
many apologies almost immediately, and soon afterwards set at liberty
Rosso also. Cranmer's account may be suspected to be a different ver-
sion of the same transaction. Guicciard. b. sx.]

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1682.] LETTERS. 18

Gf might fellow such inconvenience as in many years after
shotdd be irreparable.

Here hath appeared two hours before daylight every
morning since the fifth or inxth day of this month a blazing
star, called cometa, straight in the east, casting his beam up.
ward, partly inclining toward the south, much whiter in
colour than was the other that appeared the last year. And
moreover, many persons here do ii£5rm, that they have seen
above the moon a blue cross, which mine host in a city
called Indiburs and all his household did see, as they show-
ed me. Other do say, that they have seen an horse head
flaming, other have seen a flaming sword • But of these
other impressions I cannot assure your Grace, for I saw no
mo but the comet, which I saw within these two days^j
What strange things these tokens do signify to come here-;
after, God knoweth, for they do not lightly appear, but
against smne great mutation ; and it hath not be seen (as I
suppose) that so ma[ny] comets have appeared in so short
time.

na is a great infection of the plague^,

whereof is dead many of the Em[peror^s] household, and
among other is dead Waldesius, a Spanyarde, the Em[pe-
ror'^s] chief secretary, and was in his singular favour. He
was well learned in the Latin tongue^ and partly in the
Greek ; and whensoever the Emperor would have any thing
well and exactly done in the Latin tongue, it was ever put
to Waldesius, and I suppose that he made the draught of
the answer of the Emperor, which I sent unto your Grace
inclosed with my last letters.

In my journey I passed through the place where was the

* ['* This was the end of those wooderful preparations made by the two
^' great monarchs, Solymau and Charles V, in the year 1539, which held
'' the world in great suspense, with the fearful expectation of some
^* marvellous alteration ; and so much the more, for that at the same
" time appeared a great blazing star for the space of fifteen days/'
Knolles, aist. of the Turks. The appearance of the comet is also
mentioned by Sleidan.]

^ ['< The plague was got into the camp, yea, even into his court."
Knoiles, ibid.]

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14 LETTERS. [1632.

first battle against the fourteen thousand Turks that came
to Ens, though many say they were but eight thousand.
In which battle were captains of our party, Cassiander, bom
in Croatia, and two Turks which have been long time ser-
vants unto King Ferdinando ; one is called Bacrespal, and
the other Turk Waylande. But the Turks durst not abide
for fear of Duke Friderick, which was very near with six
thousand horsemen and a great number of footmen. By the
high way as I rode almost two English miles, lay many dead
men and horses, part of Christian and part of Turks, but
the great number were Turks. But to mine estimation, as
much as I could view the ground, there was not slain upon
both parties two thousand men. But after in another place
were slain about two thousand Turks of the same band, and
they slew again two or three thousand Spaniards arquebu-
siers at the same time, and took divers prisoners, whom they
carried with them into Hungary^. Beside that, from their
first entering into Austria and Stiria until their returning
into Hungary again, they slew in one place and other
above fifteen or sixteen thousand Christian men, and took
many prisoners, and escaped themselves all but three or
four thousand <^, which were slain as I have above written.
This is the voice of this country, which I have now written
unto your Grace, but Monsieur Grandeveile showed me
otherwise, that all the said Turks were slain except two or
three hundred, as I wrote unto your Grace in my last letters.
Now I have signified unto your Grace both the saying of
Monsieur Grandeveile, and also the voice of this country,

b [According to Knolles, they carried off prisoners to the number of
thirty thousand.]

^ |/< Solymannus . . . prxdatum emittit ad quindecim equitum niillia,
" duce Casono. Is Linciuni usque supra Viennam excurrit, et longe
^* lateque devastatis ngris, nullum immanitatis genus praetermittit : cum
" vero pedem referret, in nostros equites, qui tuernnt eroissi ut rapinis
« et populationibus ilium prohiberent, incidit; et diversis locis ad in-
** temecionem prope concisus, tandem et ipse occumbit.'' Sleidan, De
Statu HeligionU, lib. viii. According to Knolles, whose account is more
full, tliis utter destruction befell a division of eight thousand men only,
under Cason : the remainder escaped with little loss to Solvman.
Knolles seems to have followed '' the voice of the country," Sleidan
the statement of Granvelle.]

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16S2.] LETTERS. 15

permitting unto your Grace'^s wisdom the judgment of
lK>th.

This same day a doctor, chaplain to the Bishop of Saltz-
burg, showed me that the Turk prepareth another army, but
I can hear no good ground thereof to give credence unto as
yet : as soon as I can inquire the truth, I shall certify your
Grace thereof.

The King Ferdinando hitherto hath accompanied the
Emperor, and shortly he shall depart unto Isbrugh, where
the Queen is. And because that I must follow the Emperor,
I thought it good to salute him before his departure from
the Emperor, and to offer him my service, and to understand
if he would any thing command me unto your Grace, who
[commended] him unto your Highness, and said that forso-
much as the Emperor [made your Highness] participant of
all the news here, it should not require [any other] news
sent but only this, that the Emperor and he have recei[ved
letters from] sundry parts according in one thing, that
Andrew Doria h[ad capti]vatc and taken from the Turk
Modona and Corona in Morea ^, [with an]other strong hold,
whereof he remembered not the name. But [because] that
hitherto they have no letters thereof from Andrew Doria
himself: they will not yet give firm credence thereto.

Moreover the Emperor hath sent for the Duke William «
of Bavaria to come to him, that before his departing out of
Almayne he may conclu[de] peace between the King Fer-
dinando and the Duke of Bavaria, lest that after his depart-
ing more inconven[iences] may fall than hath been hereto-
fore.

The Duke Dalby an Hispanyard came hither to help
the Emperor in his wars, and this same day is word come,
that his brother^s carriages, six mulettes, and fourteen horses
be taken by the boors, and two of his servants slain, and the

^ [Doria ravaged the coasts of Peloponnesus, and took Coron, Pa-
tras, and Rbiuooy but not Modoo. Knolles, Hist, qfTurksA

^ [The Bavarian princes had opposed the election of Ferdinand to
be King of the Romans, and Duke William was supposed to have as-
pired to that dignity himself. Seckendorf, Comm, de Lulher, lib. in.
§. ii. Add.]

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16 LETTERS. [1632.

rest fled away. And this is done io the way, which, by the
grace of God, I must ride tomorrow.

As concerning Duke FriderickeS, the French ambassador
advised me not to speak with him in the camp, for that
should gender a suspicion unto the Emperor ; and after that
the Emperor had dissolved his army, Duke Friderick incon-
tinent departed with his band of the empire toward his own
dominion by Regenspurg ; so that I, going with the Emperor
another way, cou[ld] not speak with Duke Fridericke, to
understand if he had any communication with the Em-
peror in your Grace^s cause. But the French ambassador,
(which coming to Vienna by the water of Danubius, left his
horses at Passawe, almost two hundred English miles from
Vienna,) was compelled to leave the Emperor, and in waggons
to ride to his horses the same way that Duke Friderick
went. And he promised me to speak to Duke Friderick in
your Grace^s cause, and to bring me an answer, which as
soon as he cometh I shall send unto your Grace. And thus
Almighty Gtxi have your Highness evermore in his preser-
vation and governance. From Villach, the xxty day of
October, [1532.]

Your Highness

chaplain and ^

IV. To Cbumwell.

Cotton

Mss. Ves- Master Crumwell, in my right hearty wise I commend me

pasian. F. i vi • i i

XIII. fol. to you ; and hkewise pray you to be good master unto mine

75. Otigu

fuU. Z [The person meant seems to be John Frederic, Duke of Saxony, who

had lately succeeded his father John in the electorate, and with whom
Cranmer had already held a private conference. See Seckendorf, Comm.
de Lutheran, lib. iii.§. xvi. Add. Both Strype and Burnet have copied
SeckendorTs account of the interview, but the former has confusea the
peace subsisting between the Emperor and Henry VIILy with that
which was concluded at Nuremberg between the Emperor and the
German Protestants, It was the object of Henry to form a league with
the German reformers, and by their assistance to prevent Charles V.
from influencing the decision of the Pope ; but their unwillingness to
disturb the recent pacification of Nuremberg, rendered his negotiations
ineffectual.]
*» [The signature is destroyed by fire.]

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1633.] LETTERS. 17

old acquainted lover and friend Master Newman* this
bearer^ in such his suits as he at this time shall have unto
you. And albeit I have diverse suits and causes of mine
own to be made and moved unto you at our next meeting,
which I have many times forgotten when I have been per-
sonally with you, yet I am so much beholding to the said
Mr. Newman for many considerations and respects, that I
am thus bold to write unto you in his favour at this time,
leaving mine own causes apart until our next meeting, or
some other good opportunity of time, praying you to be as
good unto him in the same, as ye shall be sure to have me
ready at all times to show you any pleasure that shall lie in
me. At Chanon Rowe in Westminster, the viiith day of
February, [1633.]

Your own assured and very loving
good friend,
Thomas Elect ^ of Canterbury.

V. To Crumwbll.

Right Worshipful Mr. Crumwell, in my hearty manner I Chapter
commend me to you; likewise praying you to have in^vr^^'in.
your good remembrance, mine old suit for the receipt of »ter;Crum-
Mr. Benef s advowson of the benefice of Bamake ^, that the respond-
same may be delivered to my hands and custody, to the use •^^ ^^'
of my friend ^ for whom I have thus long sued, and that it
may please you, in case ye have not already spoken to
Master Benet''s factor in that behalf, to send this bearer my
secretary, or some trusty servant of yours, with your letters
or token, and with the same letters which ye have received
from Mr. Benet for the grant of the same advowson, to re-

* [See Letters v. lxiv. lxxvifi. cliiiJ

k [There were in all eleven bulls for Cranmer's promotion^ of which
the earliest are dated the twenty-first of February, the last, the second
of March; but they were applied for at the end of January. He was
consecrated on the thirtieth of March, 1553. Burnet, kef, vol. i.
p. 259.]

1 [Barnack in Northamptonshire, near Stamford.]

" [Apparently Newman. See Letters iv. lxiv. lxxviii. cliii.]

VOL. I. C

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18 LETTERS. [1533.

ceive the same in your name. I am informed that the in-
cumbent is very sick, and in great danger and peril of life,
which thing moveth me to be the more importune in calling
upon you in the premises, praying you to continue your
good mind and favour in this and in all other my suits unto
you hereafter, for which, and all other your kindness here-
tofore showed, ye shall have me your own assured always
during my life. At Lamhith, the 21 day of April.

Your own assured,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my very
loving friend Mr. Crumwell, one of
the King's Grace's most honourable
Council.

VI. To THE Abbot of St. Augustin'^s, Cantebbuey ".

Harl. MSS. Brother Abbot, in my right hearty wise I commend me to
148. . 22. y^^ . jii^g^jgg praying you to ^ve credence to this bearer my
servant in such requests and suits as he shall have with you
touching my behalf, and the same to ponder and tender
with effect, according to such special trust and confidence as
I have in you ; for so doing ye shall be sure to have me at all
times as ready to show unto you as much pleasure, when ye
shall the same desire of me. At my manor in Mortlaque,
xxviii^* day of April.

To my brother Abbot of St. Augstyn's,
besides Canterbury.

VII. To THE Abbot of Westminster o.
Harl. MSS. In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you, &c.
• «3. ^^ J where it is so, as I am credibly informed, that at this

" [John Sturvey, alias Essex, was Abbot of St. Augustin's, Canterbury,
from 1523 to the dissolution. Willis, Hist, ofAbbei/s, vol. i. p. 45.]

^ [William Boston according to his oath in'Ryraer, or Benson accord-
ing to his will, was the last Abbot, and the first Dean of Westminster.

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1683.] LETTERS. 19

season there is a place or room of a vicar void within the
College P of St Marteyns, in the city of London, by the
death of one Master F ram ton, late incumbent there, (where
also you are Dean,) and as I understand as yet not ap-
pointed or named to any person : in consideration whereof,
and forasmuch as now it lieth in you by reason of your
deanery to do pleasure therein ; I heartily require you to
show your lawful favour herein in preferment of this said
room, unto this bearer Sir John Smythe, one of the same
College ; that forasmuch as he being both of honest conversa-
tion and good name, thereby may have the more furtherance
in this behalf before another stranger, not being your friend
and acqumntance, and in thus so doing you shall deserve of
me like commodity. And thus fare you well. From our
manor of Mortelacke, the ivth day of May,

VIII. To Ceumwell.

Itight Worshipful Mr. Crumwell, in my right hearty Chapter
manner I commend me to you : advertising you that I have w^tmin-
received your letters, by which ye write that the Prior of St. ster;Crum-
Gr^orie's in Canterbery is willing to resign his room and respond-"^"

encc. Ori.
Some estimate mav be formed of his character from his memorable ar- ginal,
eoment on the oath of succession. When Sir Thomas More pleaded
bis conscience for refusing it, lie was told by the pliunt Abbot, that he
^^ might see his conscience was erroneous, since the great Council of the
'* realm was of another mind ; and therefore he ought to change his
" conscience.'' With this laxity of principle, it excites no surprise that
under Henry VIII. lie acquiesced in the dissolution of the monastery,
and under Edward VI. in the spoliation of the chapter. By his conduct
on the latter occasion, says Heylyn, he " saved the deanery, but lost
"himself; for calling to remembrance, that formerly he had been a
" means to surrender the abbey, and was now forced on the necessity
" of dilapidating the estate of the deanery, he fell into a great disquiet
" of mind, which brought him to his death witliin a few months after."
Burn. IM'. vol.i. p. 316. Willis, Hist, of Abbeys, vol. i. p. 207. Heylyn,
Eccles. Kestaur. Edw. VI. p. 61.]

P [The College of St. Martin le Grand, within Aldersgate, maintained
a dean and several secular canons till 1502, when it was granted by
Henry VII. to the Abbot and Convent of Westminster. Several
churches in London were in its patronage. In 34 Hen. VIII, it was
transferred with other possessions of the monastery to the new chapter.
Newcourt, JUperiorium^ vol. i. p. 424.

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20 LETTERS. [1533.

office there ; wherefore your desire is, that I shall take and
accept such a person to the same room as ye shall name
unto me, promising to provide one, that not only for his
discretion, good learning, and religious life, but also for
many other his commendable merits and qualities shall be
right apt and meet to supply the said room.

Master Crumwell, as touching this behalf or any other
thing wherein I may lawfully show you any pleasure, ye
shall be as well assured of the same, as ye would be willing
to desire it of me. But the truth is, that in my mind I am
entirely resolved to prefer to the same office, and all such
other when the same shall be void, some such one person as
was professed in the same house, et sic de eodem gremio, if
any such shall be found apt and meet in the same house for
it ; for as long as there may be had some one meet for that
room in the same house, I do think it much inconvenient
for many considerations to provide a stranger to be head
and ruler there. If there be none so apt and meet in the
said house for the said office as the law will require, then I
will be glad to provide the most meetest that can be found
in any other place, of the same rule, habit, and religion, of
whose sufficiency and ability I ought, if I do my office and
duty, to have good experience and knowledge myself, afore
that I will admit or prefer him ; and forasmuch as I do not
know the person whom ye would prefer to this office, and
to the intent also that I may inquire of his learfiing, living,
and of other his good qualities, I pray you that I may be
ascertained of his name, and of the place where he doth
demore ; and that done, I will hereafter in this behalf make
you such further answer as I trust ye shall be pleased
withal : albeit the bringer of your letters and bearer hereof
showed me, that ye did write your said letters for him and
in his favour, which thing, I assure you, moveth me to take
longer respite in this behalf. Ye do know what ambition and
desire of promotion is in men of the Church, and what indi-
rect means they do use and have used to obtain their pur-
pose ; which their unreasonable desires and appetites, I do
trust that ye will be more ready to oppress and extinguish.

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1688.] LETTERS. 21

than to favour or further the same; and I remit to your
wisdom and judgment, what an unreasonable thing it is for
a man to labour for his own promotion spiritual. At
Mortelake, the vith day of May.

Your own assured,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my very

loving friend Master Crumwell, of

the King's Grace's most honourable

Council.

IX. To King Heney VIII.

Please it your Highness, that where your Grace^s great state Pa-
cause of matrimony is, as it is thought, through all Chris-'^'J**'* '•
tianity divulgated, and in the mouths of the rude and igno-Lett vm.
rant common people of this your Grace'^s realm so talked of, oJl^j^.
that few of them do fear to report and say, that thereof is Harl. MSS.
likelihood hereafter to ensue great inconvenience, danger, 6148. f. 2.
and peril to this your Grace^s realm, and much uncertainty ^Jl'^t^
of succession ; by which things the said ignorant people be to Cran-
not a little offended: and forasmuch as it hath pleased ^^'^
Almighty God, and your Grace of your abundant goodness p- »>▼>•
to me showed, to call me, albeit a poor wretch and much
unworthy, unto this high and chargeable office of Primate
and Archbishop in this your Grace^s realm, wherein I be-
seech Almighty G<xi to grant me his grace so to use and
demean myself, as may be standing with his pleasure and
the discharge of my conscience, and to the weal of this
your Grace^s realm : and considering also, the obloquy and
bruit, which daily doth spring and increase of the clergy of
this realm, and specially of the heads and presidents of the
same, because they in this behalf do not foresee and provide
such convenient remedies, as might expel and put out of
doubt all such inconveniences, perils, and dangers, as the
said rude and ignorant people do speak and talk to be im-
minent : I, your most humble orator and headman, am, in
consideration of the premises, urgently constrained at this

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22 LETTERS. [1638.

time, most humbly to beseech your most noble Grace, that
where the office and duty of the Archbishop of Canterbury,
by your and your progenitors^ sufferance and grants, is to
direct, order, judge, and determine causes spiritual in this
your Grace^s realm ; and because I would be right loth,
and also it shall not become me, forasmuch as your Grace is
my Prince and Sovereign, to enterprise any part of my
office in the said weighty cause touching your Highness,
without your Grace'^s favour and license obtained in that be-
half: it may please, therefore, your most excellent Majesty
(considerations had to the premises, and to my most bounden
duty towards your Highness, your realm, succession, and
posterity, and for the exoneration of my conscience towards
Almighty God) to license me, according to mine office and
duty, to proceed to the examination, final determination,
and judgment in the said great cause touching your High-
ness. Eftsoons, as prostrate at the feet of your Majesty,
beseeching the same to pardon me of these my bold and
rude letters, and the same to accept and take in good sense
and part as I do mean ; which, calling our Lord to record, is
only for the zeal that I have to the causes aforesaid, and for
none other intent and purpose. From my manor at Lam-
hith, the 11th day of April <l, in the first year of my conse-
cration '. [1583.]

Your Highness^ most humble

beadsman and chaplain,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the King's Highness.

*i [There has been a slight departure here from the chronological order
for the sake of keeping together the letters relating to Hen. VIIFs di-
vorce.]

' [<< This letter is wholly in the Archbishop's hand writing, and it is
'* not a little singular, that another letter of the same date, and nearly
'^ of the same tenor, likewise written by the Archbishop himself, is pre-
" served in the State Paper Office. They both bear the marks of
'' having been folded and sealed, and of having been received by the
** King. It is so difficult to conjecture why they were both written, and
" why they differed from each other, that the second is subjoined.*'
Note to State FaperSy vol. i. p. 391.

" Please it your Hishness, that where your Grace's great cause of ma-
" trimony is, as it is uxought, through all Christianity divulgated, and in
" the mouths of the rude and ignorant common people of this your Grace's
" realm so talked of, that few of them do fear to report and say, that

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1633.] LETTERS. J23

X. To King Heney VIII.

Please it your Highness to be advertised, that I have re- State
ceived your Grace's most honourable letters, bearing date at f^Y''
your Grace'^s manor of Grenewich, the 11th day of thisp«rtii.
present month of May, and do right well perceive the con- from the

** thereof is likelihood hereafter to ensue great inconvenience, danger, ^-^rigm

** and peril to this your Grace's realm, and much uncertainty of succes-

" sion ; by which things the said ignorant people be not a little offended :

'' and forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God, and your Grace of

*< your abundant goodness to me showed, to call me, albeit a poor wretch

'^ and much unworthy, unto this high and chargeable office of Primate

'^ and Archbishop in this your Grace's realm, wherein I beseech Al-

** mighty God to grant me his grace so to use and demean myself, as

" may be standing with his pleasure, and the discharge of my con-

" science, and to the weal of this your Grace's said realm : and con-

'* sidering also the obloquy and bruit, which daily doth spring and in-

** crease of the clergy of this realm, and specially of the heads and pre-

<< sidents of the same, because they in this behalf do not foresee and

*' provide ^convenient remedies, as might expel and put out of doubt all

" such inconveniences, perils, and dangers, as the said rude and igno-

" rant people do speak and talk to be imminent : I, your most humble

" orator and headman, am, in consideration of the premises urgently

'' constrained at this time most humbler to beseech your most noble

** Grace, that where my office and duty is, by your and your predeces-

*^ sors' sufferance and grants, to direct and order causes spiritual in this

•* your Grace's realm, according to the laws of God and holy Church,

" and for reUef of all manner griefs and infirmities of the people, God's

*' subjects and yours, happening in the said spiritual causes, to provide

'* such remedy as shall be thought most convenient for their help and

'* relief in that behalf; and because I would be right loth and also it

'* shall not become me, forasmuch as your Grace is my Prince and Sove-

" reign, to enterprise any part of my office in the said weight)r cause,

" without your Grace's favour obtained, and pleasure therein first

" known : it may please the same to ascertain me of your Grace's plea-

*^ sure in the premises, to the intent that, the same known, I may pro-

" ceed, for my discharge afore God, to the execution of my said office

'* and duty, according to his calling and yours. Beseeching your High-

'* ness most humbly upon my knees, to pardon me of these my bold

" and rude letters, and the same to accept and take in good sense and

'' part. From my manor at Lamhith, the 11th day of April, in the first

" year of my consecration.

" Your Highness' most humble

" beadsman and chaplain,
« To the King's Highness." " '^'^"^'^ Cantuar."

The first of these letters, it may be observed, is that which was en-
tered by Cranmer's secretary in his book of copies, Harl. MSS, 6148.

Hen. VIH's answer to the Archbishop, granting him license to pro-
ceed to the final determination of his cause of matrimony, majr be seen
in the State Paper$, vol. i. p. 892 ; or in Collier, Eccles, Httt, vol. ii.
App. No. 24.]

c 4

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24 LETTERS. 11583.

tents of the same. Signifying to your Highness, that where,
upon Saturday last passed, the noble Lady Catharin was,
for her non appearance the same day afore me, and upon
such certificate as the Mandatary only made unto me upon
his oath^ pronounced contumax ; I have, this present Mon-
day, upon such depositions as have been made and taken
afore me, by Mr. Briane, Gage, and Vaux, my fellows,
your Grace's servants, of and upon such words and sayings
as were spoken by the said noble lady, in the time of the
execution and serving of my monition, pronounced her vere
et manifeste coniumacem, so that she is (as the counsel in-
formed me) precluded from farther monition to appear ; by
reason whereof I shall make more acceleration and expe-
dition in my process than I thought I should, and I have
declared my farther mind in this behalf to Mr. Brian^ to
whom I humbly beseech your Grace to give credence. At
Dunstable, the 12th day of this present month of May,
[1533.]

Your Highness' most humble

headman and chaplain,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the King's Highness.

XL To King Heney VIIL

State Please it your Highness to be advertised, that your Grace's

Papers, great matter is now brought to a final sentence, to be given
part ii. Upon Friday now next ensuing. And because every day in
from Se ^^^ "^^^ weeks shall be ferial, except Friday and Saturday,
Original, therefore I cannot assign any shorter time ad audiendam
senientiam, than in the said Friday. At which time, I trust
so to endeavour myself further in this behalf, as shall be-

* [This is stated in a note to the State Papers to have been the week
preceding Whitsunday; but it will be seen by the Letter to Hawkyns,
No. xiv. that it was the second week before Whitsunday, or Rogation
week ; for Cranmer there says, that <* he gave final sentence the morrow
« afler Ascension-day/' And in that week, according to his remark,
every day before Friday was ferial ; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, the
three Rogation days, being fasts, and Ascension-day or Holy Thursday
being a festival.]

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1588.] LETTERS. 26

come me to do, to the pleasure of Almighty God, and the
mere truth of the matter. From Dunstaple, the 17th of
May, [1588.]

Your Highness^ most humble
beadsman and chaplain,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the King's Highness.

XII. To Ceumwell.
(Right Worshipful Master Crumwell, in my right hearty Cott MSS.
vfjise] I commend me to you : and likewise I thank you fore, x.fol.
your two [letters] and good advertisement by the same, »^/ .
which I trust I have h[iMer/o] satisfied, according to such Holograph.
trust and expectation as the King'[j] Highness hath in me ;
for where I never yet went about to [iryure] willingly any
man Uving, I would be Ipth now to begin [zie^^A] my Prince,
and defraud him of his trust in me. And therefore [/J
have used all the expedition that I might conveniently use
in th[^ King's] behalf, and have brought the matter to a
final sentence, to [be] given upon Friday next ensuing.
Because every day in t[he] next week shall be ferial, except
Friday and Saturday, therefo[r^ /] cannot assign any
shorter time ad audiendam sententtamy than ... Friday. At
which time I trust so to endeavour myself furthe[r in] this
behalf, as shall become me to do, to the pleasure of Al-
migh [ty God^] and the mere truth of the matter. Further-
more I pray y[(m to] think no unkindness in me, for that I
have not hitherto [advertised] you of such process as I have
made in this matter", for I [assure] you I have not hitherto

< [This Letter bus been much injured by fire. Several of the defects
have been filled up from an extract printed by Heylyn, Eccles, Restaur,
Qu. Mary, p. 7. Some others are supplied by conjecture. The latter
are distinguished by Italics.]

" [Crumwell, however, was not ignorant of the proceedings, having
received an account of tViem from Bedyll, one of" the counsellors in the
" law for the King's part,'' in a letter dated the 12th of May. It is
there stated, that " My lord of Canterbury handleth himself very well,
" and very uprightly, without any evident cause of suspicion to be noted
" in him by the counsel of the Lady Katerine, if she had had any pre-
" sent there." Stale Papers, vol. i. p. 395.]

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26 LETTERS. [1688.

written unto the Queen^s Grace,... neither to no man living,
but only to the Eing^s Highness. [For] divers considerations
I do think it right expedient, that [the matter]^ and the pro-
cess of the same be kept secret for a time, [there/ore] I pray
you to make no relation thereof, as I know w[eU you] will
not. For if the noble lady Catherin should, by the [bruit
of] this matter in the mouths of the inhabitants of the
[country, or] by her friends or counsel hearing of this bruit,
be [moved, stirred,] counselled, or persuaded, to appear afore
me in the ti[me, or afore] the time of sentence, I should be
thereby greatly staye[d and let] in the process, and the
Eing^s Grace^s counsel here pre [sent shall be] much uncer-
tain what shall be then further done the[rein. For a] great
bruit and voice of the people in this behalf [might per-
chance] move her to do that thing herein, which peradven-
ture [she would] not do, if she shall hear little of it. And
therefore I [pray you] to speak as little of this matter as ye
may, and to [move the] Eing'^s Highness in likewise so to do,
for the conside [rations above] recited. And this my opin-
ion in this behalf noi[mthst€mdinffy /] do refer all and sin-
gular the premises to the Eing^s [pleasure] and judgment.
From Dunstaple, the xviith d[ay of May] [1683.]

Your assur

»Thom

XIII. To EiNG Heney VIII.
State Please it your Highness to be advertised^ that this

y^X'* ^^* ^*y ®^ ^'^^s present month of May, I have given sen-
part ii. tence in your Grace'^s great and weighty cause ; the copy y
from the whereof I have sent unto your Highness by this bearer.
Original, Richard Watkvns. And where I was by the letters of Mr.

Harl MSS

6148. fol. i.Thui'slesby your Grace^s chaplain, advertised of your Grace'*s
Todd, lAfe pleasure, that I should cause your Grace^s counsel to conceive

ofCran- ^ ^

»wr, vol. i. X [The remainder of the signature is burnt.]

P- 7»- y fit wUI be found in Lord Herbert, Life of Henry VIIL p. 375 ;

Burnet, Ref. vol. i. App, B. ii. No. 47 ; Kymer, Fcedera, vol. xiv. p.

462.]

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1583.] LETTERS. 87

a procuracy concerning the second matrimony, I have sent
the said letters unto them, and required them to do accord-
ing to the tenor thereof: most humbly beseeching your
Highness, that I may know your Grace's further pleasure
concerning the same matrimony, as soon as your Grace with
your Council shall be perfectly resolved therein. For the
time of the Coronation ^ is so instant and so near at hand,
that the matter requireth good expedition to be had in the
same. And thus our Lord have your Highness evermore in
his blessed tuition and governance. From Dunstaple, the
23iidayofMay, [1633.]

Your Highness^ most humble

chaplain and beadsman,

Thomas Cantuar.

XIV. To Archdeacon Hawkyns.

^In my most hearty wise I commend me unto you, andHarl.MSS.
even so would be right glad to hear of your welfare, &c. ^^' ^ '
These be to advertise you, that inasmuch as you now and jtrciutoio-
then take some pains in writing unto me, I would be loth^» ^*''- ^
you should think your labour utterly lost and forgotten forgy., ^^
lack of writing again ; therefore, and because I reckon you Letters,
be some deal desirous of such news as hath been here with i^tt cxiv!
us of late in the King^s Grace^s matters, I intend to inform Todd, l4/e
you a part thereof, according to the tenor and purport ^'*^.
used in that behalf. p. 8o.

And first, as touching the final determination and con-
cluding of the matter of divorce between my Lady Eateren
and the Eing^s Grace, which said matter, after the Convoca-
tion in that behalf had determined and agreed according to
the former consent of the Universities, it was thought con-
venient by the King and his learned counsel, that I should
repair unto Dunstable, which is within four miles unto

^ (The Coronation took place on Whitsunday the 1st of June. See
Letter xiv.]

* [Nicholas Hawkyns, Archdeacon of Ely, succeeded Cranmer as am-
bassador to the Emperor Charles V.]

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28 LETTERS. [1633.

Amptell, where the said Lady Eateren keepeth her house,
and there to call her before me to hear the final sentence in
the said matter. Notwithstanding, she would not at all obey
thereunto, for when she was by Doctor Lee cited to appear
by a day, she utterly refused the same, saying, that inas-
much as her cause was before the Pope, she would have
none other judge ; and therefore would not take me for her
judge.

Nevertheless the viiith day of May, according to the said
appointment, I came unto Dunstable, my ^Lord of Lincoln
being assistant unto me, and my Lord of <=Wynchester,
Doctor Bell, Dr. Clay broke, Dr. Trygonnell, Dr. He wis. Dr.
Olyver, Dr. Brytten, Mr. Bedell d, with divers other learned
in the law, being counsellors in the law for the King'^s part :
and so there at our coming kept a Court for the appearance
of the said Lady Kateren, where were examined certain
witness which testified that she was lawfully cited and called
to appear, whom for fault of appearance was declared con-
tumax ; proceeding in the said cause against her in poenam
contumaci(B^y as the process of the law thereunto belong-
eth ; which continued fifteen days after our coming thither.
And the morrow after Ascension-day I gave final sentence
therein, how that it was indispensable for the Pope to license
any such marriages.

This done, and after our rejourneying home again, the
King's Highness prepared all things convenient for the
^Coronation of the Queen, which also was after such a
manner as followeth.

The Thursday next before the feast of Pentecost, the
King and the Queen being at Grenewyche, all the crafts of
London thereunto well appointed, in several barges decked

*> [John Longland.] ' [Stephen Gardyner.]

** [See Letters xii. lxi. " He was clerk of the Council, a learned
^' man, and much made use of by Crumwell.'^ Strype, Memorials, vol. i.
p. 194J

•^ [Mr. Todd's correction has been adopted here. The reading in the
manuscript is contumaciam,']

^ j^Tliis Coronation is better remembered than most others, from its
havmg been introduced by Shakspeare into his play of Hen. VIII.
The details are given with great mmuteness by Stow, Annals.]

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168S.] LETTERS. 29

after the most gorgeous and sumptuous manner, with divers
pageants thereunto belonging, repaired and waited all to-
gether upon the Mayor of liOndon ; and so well furnished
came all unto Grenewiche, where they tarried and waited
for the Queen''s coming to her barge : which so done, they
brought her unto the Tower, trumpets^ shambes, and other
divers instruments all the ways playing and making great
melody, which, as is reported, was so comely done as never
was like in any time nigh to our remembrance.

And so her Grace came to the Tower on Thursday at
night, about five of the clock, where also was such a peal of
guns as hath not been heard like a great while before. And
the same night, and Friday all day, the King and Queen
tarried there; and on Friday at night the King^s Grace
made eighteen Knights of the Baths, whose creation was
not alonely so strange to hear of, as also their garments^
stranger to behold or look on ; which said Knights the next
day, which was Saturday, rid before the Queen'^s Grace
throughout the City of London towards Westminster Palace,
over and besides the most part of the nobles of the realm,
which like accompanied her Grace throughout the said City ;
she sitting in her hair upon a horse litter, richly apparelled*,
and four Knights of the five ports bearing a canopy over
her head. And after her came four rich chariots, one of
them empty, and three other furnished with divers ancient
old ladies^c; and after them came a great train of other ladies
and gentlewomen: which sud progress from the beginning to
the ending, extended half a mile in length by estimation, or

« [" On Friday at dinner, served the King all such as were appointed
" by his Highness to be Knights of the Bnth, which after dinner were
^' brought to their chambers^ and that night were bathed and shriven
^' according to the old usage of £ngland, and tlie next daj in the mom-
** ing the Ring dubbed them according to tlie ceremonies thereto be-
" longing.'' Stow, Annals, where is a list of their names.J

** ^According to Stow, they rode before the Queen " in violet gowns
*' with hoods purfled with miniver like doctors."]

' [<< She had on a kirtle of white cloth of tissue, and a mantle of the
** same furred with ermine, her hair hanging down, but on her head she
** bad a coif with a circlet about it fiiH of nch stones." Stow, ihid,]

^ [Two of these " ancient old ladies," were the " old Duchess of
" Norfolk, and the old Marchioness of Dorset." Stow, ibid,]

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80 LETTERS. [1533.

thereabout. To whom also, as she came along the City was
showed many costly pageants, with divers other encomies
spoken of children to her. And so proceeding throughout
the streets, passed forth unto Westminster Hall, where was
a certain banquet prepared for her, which done, she was
conveyed out of the backside of the palace into a barge,
and so unto York Place^, where the King's Grace was be-
fore her coming, for this you must ever presuppose, that his
Grace came always before her secretly in a barge, as ^ell
from Grenewyche to the Tower, as from the Tower to York
Place.

Now then on Sunday was the Coronation, which also was
of such a manner.

In the morning there assemble[d] with me at Westmin-
ster Church, the Bishop of York™, the Bishop of London",
the Bishop of Wynchestero, the Bishop of LyncolnP, the
Bishop of Bath<3, and the Bishop of St. Asse% the Abbot
of Westminstre*, with ten or twelve more Abbots, which all
revestred ourselves in our pontificalibus, and so furnished,
with our crosses and crosiers, proceeded out of the Abbey in
a procession unto Westminstre Hall, where we received the
Queen apparelled in a robe of purple velvety and all the
ladies and gentlewomen in robes and gowns of scarlet, ac-
cording to the manner used before time in such business :
and so her Grace sustained of each side with two Bishops,
the Bishop of London and the Bishop of Wynchester, came
forth in procession unto the Church of Westminstre, she in
her hair, my Lord of SufFolke bearing before her the Crown,
and two other lords bearing also before her a Sceptre and a
white rod, and so entered up into the high altar, where ^divers

» [« Sir, you

^' Must no more call it York-place, that is past :

** For since the Cardinal fell, that title's lost;

« Tis now the King's, and called— Whitehall."

Hen. VIII. Act IV.]
"» [Edward Lee.] " [John Stokesley.]

o [Stephen Gardyner.] p [John Longland.]

<» fJohn Clerk.] ^ [Henry Standish.]

• [William Benson or Boston. See Letter vii.]
' ['' At length her Grace rose, and with modest paces

** Came to the altar : where she kneel'd, and saint-like

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1638.] LETTERS. 31

ceremonies used about her, I did set the Crown on her head,
and then was sung Te Devmj &c. And after that was sung
a solemn mass^ all which while her Grace sat crowned upon
a scaffold, which was made between the high altar and the
choir in Westminstre Church ; which mass and ceremonies
done and finished, all the assembly of noblemen brought her
into Westminstre Hall again^ where was kept a great solemn
feast all that day ; the good order thereof were too long to
write at this time to you. But now. Sir, you may not ima-
gine that this Coronation was before her marriage, for she
was married much about St. PauFsday^ last, as the condi-
tion thereof doth well appear, by reason she is now some-
what big with child. Notwithstanding it hath been re-
ported throughout a great part of the realm that I married
her ; which was plainly false, for I myself knew not thereof
a fortnight after it was done. And many other things be
also reported of me, which be mere lies and tales.

Other news have we none notable, but that one Fry th »,
which was in the Tower in prison, was appointed by the

^ Cast her fair e^es to heaven, and prayed devoutly.
*' Then rose again, and bow'd her to the people :
** When by the Archbishop of Canterbury
<' She had all the royal makings of a Queen ;
** As holy oil, Edward Confessor's crown,
<' The rod and bird of peace, and all such emblems
" Laid nobly on her ; which performed, the choir,
'< With all the choicest music of the kingdom,
" Together sung Te Btsum.'* Hen. VIII. Act IV.]

" [This part of the £etter, as has been observed by Mr. Ellis, proves
two facts respecting which there has been some dispute : one, that
Anne Boleyn was married on St. Paul's day, the 25th of January; the
other, that Cranmer was not present on the occasion. The date of the
marriage is given correctly by Stow; but Hall, and Holinshed after
him, name St. Erkenwald's day, the 14th of November. The presence
of Cranmer is asserted by Lord Herbert, whose mistake has been adopt-
ed by Burnet and Dr. Milner.]

' [A peculiar interest is attached to the name of Frith, from his be-
ing the first Englishman after Wicliff, who wrote a^nst the received
doctrine of the Eucharist, from the celebrity of his opponent in the
controversy, Sir Thomas More, and from the influence which his writ-
ings are supposed to have had on Cranmer. See Preface; Burnet,
Reformat, vol. i. p. 338; Foxe, Actg,SfC. vol. ii. p. 303, and vol. iii.
Appendix, p. 989 ; where is a very interesting narrative of his appear-
ance before the Archbishop at Croydon.]

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32 LETTERS. [1538.

King'^s Grace to be examined before me, my Lord of London,
my Lord of Wynchestre, my Lord of SufFolke, my Lord
Chancellor y, and my Lord of Wy Iteshere, whose opinion was
so notably erroneous, that we could not dispatch him, but was
fain to leave him to the determination of his Ordinary, which
is the Bishop of London. His said opinion is of such nature,
that he thought it not necessary to be believed as an article
of our faith, that there is the very corporal presence of
Christ within the host and sacrament of the altar, and
holdeth of this point most after the opinion of (Ecolam-
padius. And surely I myself sent for him three or four times
to persuade him to leave that his imagination, but for all that
we could do therein, he would not apply to any counsel ;
notwithstanding now he is at a final end with all examina-
tions, for my Lord of London hath given sentence and de-
livered him to the secular power, where he looketh every
day to go unto the fire *. And there is also condemned
with him one Andrewe, a tailor of London, for the said self-
same opinion.

* If you have not heard of our ambassadors lately gone
over, you shall understand that my Lord of Northfolk, my
Lord of Rocheforde, Master Paulet, Sir Francis Bryan,
Sir Antoney Browne, &c, Dr. Gooderyche, D. Aldryche,
and D. Thrylbey, be gone unto France to the French
King^. And as I suppose they go from him to the Pope
unto c,

y [Sir Thomas Audeley was appointed Lord Keeper the 20th of May
1532, on the resignation of Sir Thomas More ; and Lord Chancellor
the 26th of January, 1533. State Papers, vol. i. p. 389.]

* [Both Frith and Andrew Hewet were burnt in Smithfield on the
4th of July, 1533. ¥o\e,ActSy jj-c. vol. ii. p. 309. Burnet, following Hall
and Stow, places their execution in 1534, but Foxe's date is strongly
supported by this Letter.]

^ [This latter part of the Letter is omitted, both by Mr. Ellis and by
Mr. Todd.]

*> [" The King understanding that the Pope, the Emperor, and the
^' French King, should meet at Nice in June following, he appointed
** the Duke of Nortfolk, &c. to go in ambassage to the French King,
** and both to accompany him to Nice, and also to commune with the
" Pope there, concerning his stay in the King's divorce." Stow, Annals.^

^ [Francis I. and the Pope met in October at Marseilles, and ar-
ranged the marriage which had been for some time under negotiation

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1638.] LETTERS. 38

Further you shall understand^ that there is many here
which wish you to succeed your uncle ^; notwithstanding I
would you should not think the contrary, but that there be
a great sort which would it should not come to pass ; never-
theless you be neither the nearer ne further off through
such idle communication.

Finally, I here send unto you a bill for the bank of four
ducats de largo, which sum I would you should not take it
up before you have need thereof, and therefore I send it for
your commodity and necessity ; for it is none of the King's
Grace^s money, nor his said Grace knoweth nothing thereof,
but alonely of my benevolence to serve your purpose, in
case, as I said, you should lack the same. And thus fare
ye well. From my manor of Croydon, the xvii. day of June.
[1683.]

XV. To THE Mayoe of Cambbidgr and his brethren.

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you, and Hart. MSS.
to each of you. And where of late I wrote unto you in the ^^^j,* *
favour of one of mine ally, called Humfrye Stockewith, con-
cerning his liberty in absenting himself from the oiBces of
your town, the reasonable causes whereof I declared unto
you in my other letters to you directed in that behalf, and
since that time I have no understanding ne certification of
your minds in that behalf: in consideration whereof, and
forasmuch as I am some deal desirous to be advertised of
your towardness therein, I heartily de«re you to send me
word by this bearer in writing, what you intend to do con-
cerning the same. And if I herein may perceive any kindness

between the Dake of Orleans, afterwards Henry II, and Catharine de
Medici, the Pope's niece. Burnet]

^ ['' On the death of Dr. West, Bishop of Ely, his nephew and god-
'^ son Dr. Nicholas Hawkins, Archdeacon of Ely, at that time the
" King's ambassador in foreign parts, was designed to succeed him ;
*^ but he dying before his consecration could be effected, the King
" granted his license to the Prior and Convent, dated March 6, 1534, to
^' choose themselves a bishop ; who inmiediately elected in their chap-
" ter-honse, the seventeenth of the same month, Thomas Goodrich."
Chalmers^ Biogr, Diet. art. Goodrich.]

VOL. I. D

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34 LETTERS. [1688.

in you for the obtaining of my request, I will at all times be
ready to show you like pleasure. And thus fare you well.
From my manor of Croydon, the xxv. day of June.

To Master Mayor of Cambridge and
his brethren.

XVI. To THE Master ^ of Jesus College f, Cam-
bridge.
Harl. MSS. In my right hearty wise I commend [me] unto you, &c.
6148. f. 22. ^jjj g^ certifying you that I send you here a buck to be
Todd, Uft bestowed amonges your company within your college. And
ofCraiu forasmuch as you have more store of money, and also less
p. 285. need than I at this season, therefore I bequeath a noble
of your purse towards the baking and seasoning of him.
And whensoever I have so much money before hand as I am
now behind hand, I shall repay you your noble again. And
thus fare you well. From my manor of Croydon, the
xxvi. day of Jupe &.

To the Master of Jesus College in
Cantabrige.

XVII. To

Harl. MSS. Right hearty and wellbeloved, I commend me unto you,
6148. f. 22. jj^ letting you to understand, that by the great suit and in-
stance of my special friends I have overcharged my house
with servants. Wherefore I desire you, that your son W.
may be with you at home unto such time as my business be
something overpast. X can put none of my servants from

« rWm. Capon. Le Neve, FastiJ]

^ fCranmer had been Fellow of Jesus College He vacated his fellow-
ship oy marriage, about 15 IS; but was re-elected on the death of his wife
in the following year.]

c [Mr. Todd places this Letter nearly twenty years later, under 1552.
But he gives no conclusive reason for his arrangement ; and the book
of copies from which it is taken, may be fairly assumed from the known
dates of some of its contents to have been wholly written before 1536.
See Preface.]

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1688.] LETTERS. 85

me but such as have some friends to take unto, for else I
think they should be greatly hindered thereby^ therefore I
intend to put none away but such as be my friends^ children.
For lether I had be bold of my own friends that of
strangers, by reason that strangers will peradventure take it
more displeasantly and unkindly, than I am sure my own
friends will. Surely and unfeignedly I do like your son
singularly well, and therefore I intend to send for him,
God willing, again, as shortly as I may conveniently. More-
over I have spoken with Doctor Elyston in your favour, and
he hath taken day with me to St. James^ day next, to the in-
tent he may be sure what the Chapel of St. Marget is worth
by the year ; that done, I trust that matter will come to good
effect, and that ye need not to doubt therein by God^s
grace ; and thus fare ye well. From my manor of Croydon,
the xxvi^> day of June.

XVIII. To THE Bishop of Lincoln ^.

My very loving lord, I commend me heartily to you. So Harl. MSS.
it is that my servant John Creke, this bearer, is in goodj,'^* * ^'*
hope of a preferment in the University of Oxforthe, by
means of special good friends which do and would earnestly
labour for him, as he shall declare unto you ; wherein I pray
you, my Lord, right heartily, that he may for my sake have
your favour and assistance, which when it shall lie in me, I
would surely requite and recompense, God willing ; who keep
and preserve you. From Croydon, the vth day of July.

To my Lord of Lincoln.

XIX. To Balthasob.

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And Harl. MSS.
where it is so, that one of my chaplams, named Master Wit- ^^^' ^^^'

^ [John Longland, Bishop of Lincoln, succeeded Archbishop War-
ham as Chanoellor of the University of Oxford in 1532. Wood,
Fastif p. 51.]

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36 LETTERS. [1533.

well *, by reason of a certain disease lying and being within
his knee, is now under your cure for the remedy of the
same: and as I am credibly informed [it] is so inveterately
congealed, that it is not like easily and in short time to be
dissolved, notwithstanding I understand you have declared
hitherto as well kindness as diligence to him in that behalf;
wherefore I heartily thank you for your said pains; requiring
to continue your good towardness therein as you have be-
gun, and so to use all such lawful expedition herein as
may conveniently be devised, to the intent he may be the
sooner released of this his pain. And in so doing I shall
be ready to show you always such pleasure as lieth in me to
do, when you shall the same require. And thus fare you
well. From my manor of Croydon, the vth day of July.

To Master Balthasor^ Surgeon unto
the King's Highness.

XX. To THE Bishop of Lincoln K
Harl.MSS. In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you, &c.
' And where there is a matter of variance between the Warden
of All Souls College within the University of Oxford, and
this bearer, Sir W. A. priest, for the interest of a chauntry
lying and being within your diocese, from which he is ex-
pelled, as he saith, unjustly : in consideration thereof, and
forasmuch as all such variances begun without my diocese,
by the statute^ I cannot call them before me; having also in
consideration the great cost and vexation whereby the par-
ties should be put to coming unto me so far : I heartily pray

^ [Probably John Whitwel, mentioned by Strype as the Archbishop's
almoner and chaplain; Cranmer, p. 176, 179.]

^ [John Longland, Bishop of Lincoln, and Chancellor of the Univer-
sity of Oxford.]

^ [Probably the Statute 24 Hen. VIII. c. 12. for restraint of appeals
to itome ; by which it was enacted, that appeals should thenceforth be
made ^* ^om the Archdeacon or his official, if the matter be there
** begun, to the Bishop diocesan of the said see, if in case any of the
** parties be grieved ; and if it be commenced before the Bishop dio-
cesan, to the Archbishop of the province. Statutes of the Realm^

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1588.] LETTERS. 37

you therefore, you being within three or four miles there-
unto, to take some pains to set the parties at a unity and
peace therein, according to right and conscience. And in
thus doing, I will be as ready to show you like pleasure at
all times. And thus fare you well. From my manor of
Croydon, the viiith day of July.
To my Lord of Lincoln.

XXL TOPOTTKYNS.

Master Pottkyns, I greet you well, &c. And where there Hari. Mss.
is a collation of a benefice now in my hands through the ^'^* ^^'
death of one Sir Richarde Baylis, priest of the College of
Mallyng, according as you may be further instruct by this
letter herein inclosed^ the place and room whereof I intend
to dispose, I will therefore, that you send unto me a collation
thereof; and that your siud collation- have a window expe-
dient to set what name"^ I will therein. And thus fare you
well, &c. [1683.]

XXII. To HIS Chancelloe.

Master Chancellor, I greet you well. And where I sent HwI. mss.
unto for the process of a variance between Pery " and Ben- J'^^- ^^•
bowe, supposing you had taken and examined the witness
thereof, which I understand is not as yet done : in consi-
deration thereof, I will that you forthwith examine the said
witness, to the intent their depositions may be joined unto
your said process, and then sent again therewithal unto
[me]. Thus fare you well. From Croydon, the viiith day
of July, &c.

"» [The name inserted was Stephen Padley, who succeeded Richard
Bajley the 9th of July, 1533. Crantner'i Register, fol. 340, a.]
" [See Letters xxviii. xxxiii.]

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38 LETTERS. [1688.

XXIII. To

Harl.MSS. In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And
^6^* ^°*' where I understand, that through the virtue of a certain
commission to you directed, you have liberty and authority
to examine and finish a matter in controversy of land be-
tween one A. B. of the one party, and my loving friend
CD, of the other, father unto my trusty and wellbeloved
servant this bearer: in consideration thereof, and foras-
much as this said variance hath so long depended unde-
termined, not without great damage, and vexation of the
said A. B ; I heartily desire you, that at this mine in-
stance, if you can conveniently at this time use such expe-
dition herein, that thereby he may know now to what deter-
mination he shall stand unto, which, after so many delays
past, should now be unto him singular pleasure to know :
exhorting you furthermore to show unto him your lawful
favour in his right, and, so doing, I will be as ready at all
times, &c.

XXIV. Waeeant foe Venison.

Harl.MSS. We will and command you to bring, or cause to be
77^.^° brought, into our larder, to the use of our household within
our manor of Otteforde, against the xxii^ day of this present
month, one buck of season, to be taken out of our parks of
Slyndono within your office, any restraint or command-
ment had or made to the contrary heretofore thereof in any
wise notwithstanding, and that you fail not as ye tender our
favour. And these our letters shall be your sufficient war-
rant and discharge in this behalf. Yeven under our signet
at our manor of Oteforde, the xviii^ day of the month
of July, in the xxv. year of the reign of, &c. and the first
year of our consecration . [ 1583.]

° [In Sussex near Arundel. See Letter xxwiii J

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1688.] LETTERS. 39

XXV. To Etn&estok.
Cousin EyngestonP, in my right hearty wise I commend Hari. Mss.
me to you : doing you to understand that I have received ^if' ^''
your letters, and do perceive the contents of the same. And
where ye write, that your son Antoney had small speed afore
me, marvelling why I did use the old process, whereby you
do think that the whole matter is frustrate and destroyed,
and your son also : ye may be well assured, that I did pe-
ruse the said old process for none other intent, than for the
information of my conscience only. And albeit I did thus
use it, yet I was never minded to reduce the same in my
sentence. And as I did therein, so would or should every
good judge have done, if he would do his office and duty
with equity. Ye do know well, that at the first beginning
I sent for the same, and used it for my information. If I had
not, or would not so have done, I might right well have
been noted negligent, as not willing to know the truth. And
I should have done otherwise than ever any judge did
hitherto, or ever will do hereafter. And it is pity that ever
I had been judge, if I would not have sought all means to
be right informed. And when I took new depositions of
other witness, I did it for none other intent but upon your
son^s words; supposing and trusting that he could have
brought such witness as may have countervailed the first
sixteen witness brought by you, which cometh now to none
eflect ; nor as all the learned men in the law that were then
present with me at that time, as well the Dean of the Arches
as also both his counsel and her\ did then plainly say, it
is not possible to bring any witness that should countervail

P [Tliis may have been Sir William Kingston, commander of the
guard sent to conduct Wolsey to the King, and constable of the Tower
at the time of Anne Boleyn*s imprisonment there. See Ellis, Original
Lettertf 1st ser. vol. ii. p. 53. And Anthony his son may be the Sir
Anthony Kingston, who, as Provos^mar8hal of the western army in
1549, was more distinguished for the readiness of his wit than for his
humanity. See an insunce of his cruelty, vol. ii. p. 244. In 1551, he
became one of Edward VI's Council for Wales, was afterwards a par-
tisan of Queen Jane, and was committed to the Tower by Queen Mary
in 1555. See Holinshed, vol. iii. p. 1006; Strype, ManariaU, vol. ii. p.
458; iii. pp. 10,284.]

D 4

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40 LETTERS. [1533.

the first sixteen witness, unless the said sixteen could be
rejected as not honest men, and not indifferent to depose in
the cause ; which thing, although Dorothy Harp do say that
she can do, nevertheless I do not think it. And to be plain
with you, as far as I do see yet in the matter, I am at my
wits' end to give you counsel in it, for by my faith, if I could
imagine any good counsel in the same, I would be no less
glad to give it you, than you would be to take it. But in
my judgment, all the learned men of Englande cannot give
you counsel, except you take the other way of your son'^s
impotency ; and yet I think that will not serve neither.
And where you write, that the setting forth of the first pro-
cess and witness was only your act for three causes special
in your letters expressed : I do think verily, that if those
witness examined, knowing the truth do conceal the truth,
and depose otherwise than truth, surely they be much to be
blamed and worthy great punishment ; and then they, and
you that brought them forth, have lost your son, and not I.
And contrariwise, if they knowing the truth have deposed
nothing but truth, and as they do know, then the matter
must stand as it may stand with equity, and ye to be con-
tented therewith. Wherein you shall be well assured to
have me upright and just, without any manner of inclination
to any party otherwise than justice will suffer ; but so far as
equity and justice will permit, I shall be glad to incline to
your desire, and specially seeing that it is the desire of the
other party also. But me seemeth for this time, that if
your son and his wife would both set apart their wilful
minds, and agree together as man and wife, it should be
great comfort to them and all their friends, and to the plea-
sure of God. And if they will continue in their folly still,
except I can see some better cause why they should not be
man and wife than I do see yet, I shall never consent, that
he shall live in adultery with another woman, and she with
another man. For if he were my son, I had rather that he
begged all his life than to live in adultery ; and so I think
you had also. And thus our Lord preserve you. From
my manor of Oteforde the xix. day of July.

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1588.] LETTERS. 41

XXVI. To CERTAIN CUEATBS.

Forasmuch as I am credibly informed by the church- Harl.MSS.
wardens of the parish of M allyng, how that their church is ,g^* *
so far in decay, that the said parish of itself is not able to re-
pair the same agiun without great help of their well-disposed
neighbours, by reason whereof they have instantly desired
of me [to] write to your parish in their behalf: I will there-
fore, that ye at a convenient time exhort and move your
parishioners to give their aid and help unto them therein ;
inasmuch as in so doing it will be both a right charitable
deed, and also a very good occasion whereby your said
parish may require of them such like commodity when you
shall need (as they do) likewise the same. Willing you
also to desire two of the most honest men of your said parish,
to take the pains in gathering and preserving of that which
shall be given in this behalf. And thus fare you well.
From my manor of Ottforde, the xix. day of July.

To certain Curates.

XXVII. To THE Abbot of Westminster*!.

Brother Abbot^ in my right hearty wise I commend me Harl. MSS.
unto you, &c. And forasmuch as ye were contented to^g^*^**
promise unto me the next room that should chance here-
after to be void, among the headmen in the foundation'
of that noble prince of perpetual memory. King Henry the
Vllth, for one John Fyssher, whom I do much tender in
that behalf; I heartily desire you therefore not to forget
your said promise, but that ye wiD remember the same,
even as you would be remembered of me at such time
as it lieth in me to show you any pleasure hereafter. And
thus fare you well. From my manor of Ottforde, the xix.
day of July.

To my brother Abbot of Westminster.

•1 [See Letter vii.]

** [Respecting thb foundation see the oath of William Boston^ Abbot
of Westminster, in Rymer, vol. xir. p. 459.]

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42 LETTERS. [1633.

XXVIII. To HIS Chancellor.

Harl.MSS. Mr. Chancellor, I greet you well. I will that you send
6148. fol. ^^^^ jjj^ ^n ^^ process of the judges delegatory, with the
depositions of such witness as I wrote of late to you of
to be examined concerning the matter of variance of matri-
mony between Thomas Perry ^ and Jane Benbowe, which
if you have accordingly done, then to warn the parties to
appear before me on Monday next coming. And thus fare
you well, &c.

XXIX. To Ceumwell.

Harl. MSS. ^^ ™y ^^g^^ hearty wise I commend me unto you. And
6i48.fol. where the Prior of the friar preachers of BristoU sueth unto
me for a license to preach, yet am I loth to grant the same,
unless I might have some sure information by one of the Coun-
cil how he is discharged of his business before them : in
consideration hereof I heartily desire you to advertise me by
this bearer, in what case he standeth, and whether he be after
such a sort and manner discharged, so that it be meet for
me to give him my said license to preach through my
province. And thus fare ye well. From my manor of
Otteforde the xix. day of July.

Over this, I most heartily desire you at this mine instance
to further all that in you is this said bearer my servant',
touching his preferment to the room of the Esquire Bedell
of Arts at Oxford, which is now in the Eing^s Grace^s hands
to give to whom he will at his pleasure, forasmuch as the
said University hath without his Grace'^s assent and license
admitted one by way of resignation to the said room, (their"

* [See Letters xxii. xxxiii.]

* fSee Letter xviii.]

MTiiis is iUustrated by the following extract from Wood, Annals,
A. D. 1532. '' After these troubles followed otliers of ^eater moment
" between the University and Town, concerning divers liberties and pri*
<' vilegesy the report of which coming to the Kiug*s hearing, instructions
" were sent down from him to make a surrender of their liberties." In
pursuance of these instructions the University surrendered their privi-

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1688.] LETTERS. 48

statutes and liberties as well then as now being in the Cng^s
hands,) which admittance^ as I am informed, is frustrate, if it
would so please his Grace to consider the same : therefore
gladly would I that my said servant were preferred there-
unto before another, considering how it would be to him an
apt room, and also a good living therewithal. Wherefore,
eftsoons I pray you to show unto him your lawful favour in
this behalf, whereby you shall not alonely bind him to be
your daily headman, but also be sure of me to show you
any pleasure that I can therefore. And thus fare you well.
From my manor of Otteford the xix. day of July.
To my especial friend Master Cromwell.

XXX. To THE Priorbss of St. Sepulchre''s, Can-

TERBURY.

Sister Prioress, in my hearty wise I commend me unto Hurl. MSS.
you. And so likewise will that you do repair unto me to^^' ^^'
my manor of Otteforde, and bring with you your nun* which
was some time at Courteupstrete, against Wednesday next
coming : and that ye fail not herein in any wise. Thus fare
you well. From our manor of Otteforde, &c. [1588.]

To the Prioress.

XXXI. To Lord Aberoavbnny.

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto your lord- Hari. MSS.

ship, &c. And where I am informed by divers of my^i^*

leges both regal and papal. '* Soon after, or about that time, the Bur-
*' gesses surrendered up their chiefest privileges, (though not all, as from
** several complaints is apparent,) together with an obligation, whereby
'' they stood bound to abide the word or decision of the King. Afler
<< he had retained them some time in his hands, ^the places in the Uni-
*' versity disposal, which fell in that time, bemg oestowed by him
** on those he thought fit, as particularly a Bedell's place,) he at leneth
** (after several articles had been put up against each other in that
** time, which for brevity I omit) confirmed all the ancient privileges
** and liberties of the University, and commanded all his subjects, par-
'' ticnlarly the Mayor and Burghers of Oxford, to observe, keep, and in
" no wise infringe them."]

* [Elizabeth Barton. See Letters lxxxii. lxxxiii. lxxxiv.]

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44 LETTERS. [1683.

tenants of MafeldeX, that there be certain ancient franchises
and liberties 2 thereunto belonging, which hitherto hath been
always quietly maintained by my predecessors; notwith-
standing as they do again report, there is one William
Smythe hath enterprised to infringe the said liberties, in
serving of a Supplicavit to one John Eydder tenant there: in
con^deration thereof, I heartily desire you, forasmuch as I
am myself ignorant of such liberties, that you will execute and
provide such condign punishment for the offender herein as
law and conscience will su£Per you thereunto, so that this
poor man may have some redress thereby. Requiring you
furthermore henceforward to redress all such offences with-
in my said liberties, upon like informations, according to
your discreet and politic wisdom in that behalf, as you shall
think most necessary from time to time. And in thus doing
you shall not alonely do unto me singular pleasure, but also
thereby be sure of me to show at all times that pleasure I
may. Thus fare you well. From my manor at Otteforde
the xix. day of July.

To my especial friend my Lord of
Burgavenny.

XXXII. To THE Dban of the Archbs.

Harl.MSS. Mr. Dean, I greet you well. And where I am informed
6148. foi. i^y ^^^ James *Bulstrode, that he hath divers witness, which
could make manifest depositions concerning the matter of
variance in matrimony between him and one Edwardes^ whose
said witness as yet you have not examined, ne will not, as
he reporteth, unless you have some knowledge from me
therein: I will therefore, in case it be not repugnant or
prejudicial to the course of the law^ that you take all manner

y [Mayfield in Sussex ; where was formerly a palace with a park be*-
longiog to the see of Canterbury, alienated by exchange in the nrst year
ofEdw. VI. Strype, Crawwer, p. 281.]

^ [Lord Abergavenny appears to have been Steward of the liberties
of the Archbishopric. See Letters ccxliii. ccxlv.]

* [See Letters xxxiii. lxi.]

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1538.] LETTERS. 45

of depositions, as well for the one part as for the other, to
the intent the knowledge of the truth may the more openly
appear in this behalf. And thus fare you well. From my
manor of Otteford the xxi. day of July.

XXXIII. To THB Dean of the Arches.

Mr, Dean, I greet you well. And where as well themat-Harl. MSS.
ter in controversy between Thomas Perry ^ and one Ben- ^*^^' ^°^'
bowe, as also the matter between James Bulstrode^ and one
Edwardes, stand undetermined, the parties with importune
suit always calling unto me thereupon, and the term almost
now at an end : i[n] consideration thereof, and forasmuch
as I am not assured what day is most convenient to appoint
the said parties to be here before me, having your assistance
therewithal ; I will therefore, that ye appoint both day and
time in that behalf, willing you further to warn Dr. Town-
sende to be here with you, so that he may still continue
with me in the vacation time. And further, that you ap-
point either party to bring with them their learned counsel,
to the intent we make the more speed therein. Over this
I advertise you, that where you desired to know my mind,
whether you shall make privy Mr. Chancellor and Pott-
kyns in the matter which you wrote to me of, my mind
is in that behalf, that you shall show nothing to them
thereof, but keep the same to yourself until your next resort
unto me, when you shall know further of my mind therein.
And thus fare you well. From my manor of Otteforde the
xxii. day of July.

XXXIV. To Db. Bell.

I heartily commend me unto you : and forasmuch as ye Harl. MSS.
heretofore promised me that I should have a determinate ^'^^' ^®''
answer of you^ as touching the taking to farm of your be-

»> [See Letters xxii. xxviii.] « [See Letter xxxii.]

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46 LETTERS. [1633.

Defice beside Southwell called Normanton for a kinsman of
mine, and that the time which ye appointed to give the same
is now past : I desire you therefore, that ye without any
further delay will send me now by my servant this bearer a
final answer in this behalf. And where ye before made a
stop herein, because of your promise which ye made to
Master Basset, I assure you, he hath assigned and remitted
unto me his interest and title in the same, like as I shall
plainly show you by his letters, what time soever ye shall
require to see them. Thus fare ye well. From my manor
of Ottford the xxii^* day of July.
To Master Dr. Bell be this delivered.

XXXV. To De. Bell.

Harl. MSS. In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And
foLss, ^^^" ^ thank you for your benevolent kindness, which for
my sake ye have showed unto this bearer my kinsman, re-
quiring you hereunto, as ye have begun so to proceed with
the same, in all such his matters and affairs as he shall have
hereafter to do with you. And forasmuch as ye be so good
to grant unto him a lease of your benefice, I require you as
in that behalf to let him enjoy it as shortly as you may con-
veniently, trusting also that you will thereunto extend and
enlarge your conscience, for granting sufficient years therein.
And look what pleasure or commodity on my behalf I can
do for you, ye may be sure of me to accomplish the same
from time to time, &c.
To the same.

XXXVI. To Dr. Clatbroke and Dr. Bassett.

HarLMSS. I heartily commend me unto you: likewise thanking you

^Ma- ^^^ ^^® bearer my kinsman, to whom as I understand you

be especial friend, in such matters and causes as he hath

to do with you, requiring you also in my name and behalf

to ^ve condign thanks unto the vicars chorals at Southwell

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1688.] LETTERS. 4H

for the same. And if I may do unto you or them any plea-
sure, ye shall always have me ready to that lieth in me the
best I can, &c.

To Doctor Claybroke and Doctor Bassett.

XXXVII. To THE Duchess of Noefolk^.

Madam, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto Karl. MSS.
your ladyship : and so certify you, that I have received your ^'j^^
letter concerning the permutation of the benefice of Che veing
unto your chaplain Mr. Molinex, wherein I was ever mind-
ed to satisfy your desire so mudi as in me was ; but for so
much as the said Mr. Baschirche ^ changed his mind, and
that he hath reigned the said benefice unto another man^,
your ladyship^s further request now is, to have the next
grant of the said benefice of Cheving, when it shall be by
any manner way void, promising therefore the resignation
of a benefice of the Eing^s patronage, named Curremakt
in Somersetshire, to whomsoever I shall name the same.
Truly I am right well contented to apply unto your mind
therein, although this said benefice of Cheveing is well worth
forty marks, which is much more than the eighteen pounds.
And where you wrote, that after so many times sent to
know my mind herein, as yet you have no word thereof:
surely I commanded my servant Creke to inform you after
what condition the said benefice was resigned ; as knoweth
Almighty Jesus, who I beseech to preserve your good lady-
ship. From my manor of Otteforde, the xxiii. day of July.
[1688.]

To the right Honourable and my very good
Lady the Duchess of Northfolk.

<* [Probably the Duchess Dowager, who was afterwards attainted of
misprision of treason for concealing the misconduct of her grandaugh-
ter Catharine Howard.]

« [See Letter CLxv.]

' [Viz. Richard Astell, who was collated to Cherening the 15th of
Oct. 1533. Cranmer^s Register. See Letters xux. lviii.]

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48 LETTERS. [1583.

XXXVIII. To Lord Arundel.
Harl. MSS. In my right hearty wise I commend me unto your good
fol%o lordship, &c. And where I am credibly informed of a cer-
tain composition concluded between my predecessors and
yours, concerning the game and other liberties in the forest
of Arundell, for the number of thirteen bucks or stags in
summer, and for so many does or hinds in winter, which (as
is more plainly specified) are yearly due unto the Archbishop
of Canterbury's larder, within his manor of Slyndon 5 : in
consideration hereof, and forasmuch as the store of my other
parks and games are now, by reason of this last vacation,
utterly wasted and decayed, whereby I am at this season des-
titute of venison, both for myself and my friends ; and so am
thereby also now constrained more effectually to require of
you this my said duty herein, I most heartily desire your
lordship, that I may have these my said bucks or stags at
your pleasure at this time. And hereafter when my game
is better increased and replenished, I shall be as glad again
to accomplish your requests in such like matters from time
to time, &c.

To my very singular good Lord, my
Lord of Arundell.

XXXIX. The Duke of Norfolk to Cranmer.
Harl. MSS. My Lord^ in my right hearty manner I commend me unto you :
fol I b sig'^ifying unto the same that the King*s pleasure is, that ye do
send unto me, with all speed and celerity, all such books and
writings as ye have in your custody, sealed or subscribed with the
hands of learned men, for the justifying of his Highness' great
cause: and that with the said books and writings ye do send
also all such manner process in form authentic, as hath been
made by you touching his Grace's said cause. From Grenwich,
thevth** day of September. [1533.]

To my Lord of Canterbury his Grace, ^our*, T. Norfolke.

t [See Letter xxiv.]

^ [Queen Anne Boleyn was now at Greenwich on the eve of her con-
finement, and the Ring was therefore anxious to collect all the docu-
ments necessary for proving the legitimacy of the child. See the next
Letter.]

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Ii588.] LETTERS. 49

XL. To THE DUKR OF NoRFOLK.

My Lord, in my right hearty manner I commend meHarl.MSS.
unto your good Lordship : certifying the same, that this pre- fjj^'^^ 5^
sent Sunday^ I have caused to be delivered unto Master
Cromewell all such books ^ and writings as have come to my
hands concerning the King's Grace's great cause, according
to the said Mr. CromewelPs request^ made unto me therein
in his said Grace's behalf. And as for all manner process
had and made in the said matter, they be remaining in the
hands of my Chancellor, to be reduced in authentic form ac-
cording to the order of the law for such a process. And
for this intent I have sent one of my secretaries to bring
them unto you with all celerity he can. [1538.]

To my Lord of Norfolk his Grace.

XLI. ToRosELL».
Brother Rosell, in my right hearty wise I commend me Harl. MSS.
unto you, and in likewise to my sister your bedfellow, &c. foLax.
And where I understand that your son is very apt to learn
and given to his book, I will advise you therefore that ye
suffer not him to lose his time, but either that ye set him
forth to school at Southwell, or else send him hither unto
me, that at the least between us he utterly lose not his
youth, &c. Further, I pray you have me commended unto
your father and mother. And thus fare ye welL From
my manor of Otteforde, &c.

XLII. To HIS Chancellor.
Master Chancellor, I commend me unto you : and so will. Hurl. MSS.
that, according to the due form and manner of my license in fJi^'i.

[* Sunday the 7th of Sept. 1533, the day on which Queen Anne
Boleyn was delivered of her daughter Elizabeth. See Letter lxxxiv.]

k [See for an account of these books Burnet, Titf. vol. i. p. 194;
Foxe, Acit^hz, vol. ii. p. 631.]

* [Dorothy, a sister or the Archbishop, married Harold Rosell Esq. of
Radcliffe on Trent. Strype, Cranmer, p. 419; Todd, Life of Cranmer.^

VOL. I. B

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50 LETTERS. [1588.

that behalf, you do admit into the Arches this bringer, Mr.
Doctor Cave, a civilian, in as ample manner and condition
as shall be most convenient both for his state and degree
therein. And thus fare you well, &c.
To Master Chancellor.

XLIII. To THE Dean of the Arches.

HarLMSS. Master Dean, I commend me unto you, &c. signifying

,1^' * the same, that inasmuch as I have admitted this bearer,

Mr. Doctor Cave, for one of the Arches, I will that you in

like condition and effect do consider and take the same from

time to time accordingly, &c.

To Master Dean.

XLIV. To Da. Trygonell.

Harl. MSS, In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you, &c.

6148. f. 3».and so in like manner require the same to go unto my Lord
Chancellor", and that in my name, not alonely to desire
his Lordship to show his lawful favour unto Master Hutton,
of London, grocer, in his matter which I wrote unto you of
before, but also ye will so instruct and ripe him therein,
that he need not, for lack of information, be doubtful in that
behalf; and in thus doing I will be as ready to show unto
you like pleasure when you shall require the same. Thus
fare you well, &c.

To Mr. Doctor Trygonell.

XLV. To Browgh.

Hari.MSS. I commend me unto you, &c. Eor certain causes [moving]
6148. f. 3>« me reasonably hereunto, I charge you to be with me at Otte-

"» [Sir Thomas Audeley. See Letter xiv. p. 32.]

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1588.] LETTERS. 51

forde upon Saturday next ensuing. At your coming you shall
know more of my mind. From my manor of Otteford, &c.
To Master Browgh.

XLVI. To

Postscripta^.
I commend me unto you, and where I am uncertified of Harl. MSS.
the deliverance of a letter sent to you, and dated the xth ^^5, *
day of this present month, the intent and purport whereof
was, that (for divers causes reasonably me moving,) you
should repair unto me at Otteford, which now, inasmuch as
I am in doubt of the deliverance thereof, [I] will eftsoons
that you with all speed and celerity at the sight hereof do
accomplish that my said intent. And at your coming you
shall know further of my mind in this behalf. From my
manor of Otteford.

XL VII. To John Flemyng.

I do commend me unto you, &c. and so will, for divers Harl. MSS.
considerations me moving hereunto, that ye do repair im- ^'^* ^'*
mediately after the sight hereof unto me, at my manor of
Otteford, or where by chance I shall be else. At which
time you shall know further of my mind in such matters as
I have to do with you. From my manor of Otteford, the
xviith day of September.

To Sir John Flemyng, Curate of St.
Nicolas Parish m Bristoll.

XLVIII. To Cromwell.
Right Worshipful Master Crumwell, in my hearty wise Chapter
I commend me to you : and where I am credibly informed w^Siin-

Bter;Cniiii-
" [In the original manuscript tliis appears as a postscript to a Letter f^ell's Cor-
to Roseli, No. LXiiiy on the edocaUon of his son ; where it is ob-ji^poQ^.
viously out of place. It must clearly have followed some such sum-ence. Ori-
mons as is contained in the preceding Letter to Browgh.] gmaJ,

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5^2 LETTERS. [1638.

of a matter afore my Lord Chancellor ^ depending, between
John Broke, plaintiff of the one party, and Richarde Mares
and other, defendants of the other, wherein hath been used
marvellous delays by the means of contrary parts and their
counsel, I pray you to be for my sake good master unto
the said Broke, and to such as be of his counsel in the fur-
therancc of his right ; and also to speak e£Pectuously in your
own name to my Lord Chancellor to make a speedy end in
this matter P. For this doing ye shall have me at all times
ready to show such pleasure as shall lie in me ; and I pray
you to remember my kinsman John Padley, sanctuary man
in Westminster. From Otford, the xxiiith day of September.

Your assured,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my very
loving friend Master Crumwell, one
of the King's Grace's most honour-
able Council.

XLIX. To

HarLMSS. In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you, &c.
\^^ And where I am credibly informed that this bearer, my

" [Sir Thomas Audeley.]

P I It may seem, that on this and many other occasions, Cranmer by
making interest with the judges, interfered with the due course of law ;
but it may be inferred from the writings of Latymer, that this was
almost the only chance which a poor man then had of obtaining justice.
For his Sermons abound with complaints of legal delays ; and in one
which he preached before Edward VI, he exhorted the Ring to hear
men's suits himself. ** 1 cannot,'* he says, ** go to my book, for poor folks
*' come unto me, desiring me that I will speak that their matters may
'* be heard. I trouble my Lord of Canterbury, and being at his house,
'' now and tlien I walk in the garden, looking in my book, as I can do
'' but little good in it. I am no sooner in the garden and have read
*' awhile, but by and by cometh there some one or other knocking at
" the gate. Anon cometh my roan, and saith : ' Sir, there is one at the
'' gate would speak with you.' When I come there, then is it some one
'< or other that desireth me I will speak that his matter might be heard,
'* and that he hath lain this long time at great costs and charges, and
*' cannot once have his matter come to the hearing." Second Sermon
before Edward VL 1549.]

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1688.] LETTERS. 53

well beloved servant^ <) A. B. hath a full grant of Mr. A. i" to be
the farmer of his parsonage with you ; and forasmuch as my
said servant intending for his most surety and profit to abide
thereupon, supposeth by reason he is destitute of a conve-
nient mansion for that behalf, that he cannot more expe-
diently bestow himself and his household, if he might there-
unto obtain your favour, than with you : in consideration
hereof, and forasmuch as your vacant houses be now most
apt for him that shall be farmer of the said parsonage, I
heartily require you to owe unto him your lawful favour
herein, and that the rather at this mine instance, which I
were loth you should consider, in case 1 thought it should
not be more for your commodity in this your solace, than
his profit. From my manor of Ottforde, the ii<*c day of
October.

To the Parson ■ of Che[vening].

I.. To THE PrIORBSS AND CoNVENT OF WiLTON.

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you : and Hwl. mss.
where I am advertised by your authentic letters unto me,^!^**"**
addressed by this bearer. Sir Robert F., how desirous ye are,
for the zeal ye bear unto the good order of your religion, to
have an election ^ of an abbess^ whereunto by those your

1 [Thomns Abberforde. See Letter lviii.]

' nRichard Astall, parson of Cheveoing. See Letters xxxvii. lviii.]

* [There seems to be an error here, for the parson is spoken of in the
Letter as a third person.]

' [In 1528 the election of an Abbess of Wilton was the cause of a
serious misunderstanding between Hen. VI IL and Wolsey ; the Cardi-
nal having been instrumental to the success H)f Isabella Jordayn, the
Prioress, against the wishes of both the King and Anne Boleyn. See
some curious Letters on the subject in Stale Papers, vol. i. p. 313, &c. and
HarL Mite, vol. iii. p. 58 ; from which it appears, that the house at
that time was badlv regulated and in much need of reformation. Some
of the nuns resisted so obstinately the shutting up of '^ certain doors and
" ways," that it was thought necessary " to put three or four of the cap-
" tains of them in ward." The present election seems to have terminated
in favour of Cecil Bodenham, who was pensioned at the dissolution, to-
gether with the Prioress and thirty-one nuns. VfWWs, Hitt, of AM>ry$,
vol. ii. App. p. 39.]

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54 LETTERS. [1688.

said letters you move and also require of me aid concerning
the same : this is to signify unto you hereby, that inasmuch
as I perceive, that this your suit doth as well proceed of your
mere and own free wills, without provocation of other men^s
suits, as of the love and zeal ye bear unto your said reli^on,
I will, (the King^^s Grace'^s pleasure know[n] therein,) do that
lieth in me to do ; and owe unto you my lawful favour from
time to time, &c.

To my well beloved sister and sisters
the Prioress and Convent of the
monastery of Wilton.

LI. To

Harl. MSS. Wellbeloved, I greet you well, &c. your supplication by
3i^b. ° ^^^^ bearer I have received, whereby I perceive your griefs,
which to redress some part after your mind, (the King's
Grace's pleasure known therein,) I shall be as glad to do
and accomplish, as any that hath been in such a room as
God now hath called me unto. From my manor of Otte-
ford th^'vth day of October, &c.

LII. To Geesham.

Harl. MSS. Master Gresham", I heartily commend me unto you:
i4». o thanking you for your credit unto Master Gerves for me ;
and also for your letter, where I am now more ascertained
of my day, (which I understand is past,) than I was before ;
by reason whereof I am not even now in a very readiness to
accomplish your mind herein ; notwithstanding I trust you
shall be in no danger, for shortly I will send to the said
Master Gerves to require of him a little respite unto my
next audit at Lambeth, which will not be long unto, and

" [This may have been either Sir Richard the father, or Sir John the
uncle of the celebrated Sir Thomas Gresham. They were both opulent
merchants in the city of London. Ward, Life ofGretkam.]

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1688.] LETTERS. 66

then I trust to satisfy him, and be glad to do for you as great
pleasure by the grace of Grod, &c. From Otteford the vith
day of October.

LIII. To Lord Rochford^.

My Lord, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto Hari. MSS.
your good Lordship : and where this bringer P. M. sueth ^J^* ^*'
unto me to write unto you in his favour, that you would be
so good lord unto him, as to move my Lord of Northfolke
at your request to prefer the same to my Lord of Rich-
monde'^sy service to the room of a secretary, which, as I per-
ceive, is now void : in consideration hereof, and forasmuch
that at your request I took his brother * to my service, whose
diligence and fidelity I do now much esteem, I heartily re-
quire your Lordship to tender this his said suit; and that
the rather at this my request ye do therein the more effect-
ually, as your discreet wisdom in that behalf doth think best
for his furtherance : for I myself have this confidence in him,
that by reason he is brother unto my said servant, he will
do no less diligent service unto my said Lord of Richmond
than his brother doth now unto me ; as knoweth God, who
preserve you, my good Lord Rocheford. From my manor
of Otteford the vith day of October, &c.

To my very singular good Lord^ my
Lord of Rocheforde, &c.

LIV. To COLLMAN*.

Master Collman, I commend me unto you, &c. pray- Hvl. MSS.
ing you, as my trust and fidelity is in the same, to pro- 3^5]
ceed in making of a sale in Buchurste of such woods as

« FTlie unfortunate brother of Anne Bolevn.l

y 'Henry Fitzroy, natural son of Henry VlII.]

^ Probably Rafe Morice, a secretary in whom the Archbishop had
great confidence. See Strype.]

* [John Colman was, in 1535, the Archbishop's bailiff for Wyngham
and Its dependencies. Val, Eccles."]

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56 LETTERS. [15SS.

shall be thought most best by your discretion for my profit,
according to such informations as my officers made unto you
at their last being at Canterbury ; and in thus doing you
shall at this time do me pleasure. And for your further
surety herein, this my writing shall be a sufficient warrant
for you at all times in this behalf, &c. vii. day of October.
To Mr. CoUman at Canterbury.

LV. To HIS Chancellor.

Hftrl. MSS. Master Chancellor, I greet you well. And forasmuch as
6148. fol. J ^^ credibly informed that the nomination of a Vicar unto
the vicarage of Withbroke in the diocese of Coventry and
Lychfield belongeth unto me in the vacation of the bishop
there S which said nomination I have given unto the Prior
of Coventry, [I will that] ye do dispatch the said Prior ac-
cording to your form devised by the law in that behalf, and
as you shall think most convenient, &c.
To Master Chancellor.

LVI. To THE Curate of Sundridge.

Harl.MSS. I commend me unto you, &c. And where I am adver-
6148. fol. ^jggj jjy ^j^jg bringer, John Pers, that for lack of a banns
asking you defer the same from solemnizing of his matri-
mony, the default whereof he reporteth was [in] one, who in
his absence for him should have given money to the clerk for
the intimation thereof: I will therefore that you make no
further lets or impediments herein, advertising the same,
that forasmuch as in considering the premises there appear-
eth in his behalf no coven or deceit, I am content at this
time to dispense with him. From Otteford, &c.
To the Curate of Sunriche.

» [Geoffrey Blythe, Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield, died the latter
end of 1533. Rowland Lee, his successor, was elected the 10th of Jan.
1534, consecrated the 19th of April, and restored to the temporalities
the 6th of May following. Le Neve, Fasti.]

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1583.] LETTERS. 67

LVII. To THE Prior of Christ's Church, Can-
terbury.

Brother Prior, in my right hearty wise I commend me Harl. MSS.
unto you : heartily thanking you for your good and kind ^^^*
token which I have received by your brothern and mine,
not deserved as yet ; nevertheless you should have done
me much more greater pleasure, if you had lent it me full of
gold, not for any pleasure or delectation that I have in the
thing, but for the contentation of such as I am indebted
and dangered unto; which I assure you hath grieved me
more of late, than any worldly thing hath done a great sea-
son ; in this I am bold to show you my necessity, thinking
of good congruence 1 might in such lawful necessity be
more bolder of you, and you likewise of me, than to attempt
or prove any foreign friends. Wherefore, trusting in your
benevolence and of all my brethren for the premises, I shall
so recompense the same again, according as ye shall be well
contented and pleased withal. Thus fare ye well.

To the Prior of Christ's Church in
Canterbury.

LVIII. To the Parson of Chevbning**.

Master Astall, I commend me unto you. And where Harl. MSS.
vou were contented that I should have the farm^ of vour^*^' ^''**'

•* •' 33 b.

^ [See Letters xxxvii. xlix.]

^ [The /arming of benefices was the ordinary practice in those days,
(See Foxe, Acts, Sfc, vol. iii. p. 167 ;) and must not be confounded with
Jfee farming, which seems to have crept in shortly afterwards. The
latter system is explained to have been a permanent arrangement,
or commutation, and was bitterly inveighed against by Latymer.
This plain spoken presicher did not scruple to ascribe it to the ma-
chinations of Satan. '' What an unreasonable devil is this? He
'^ provides a great while beforehand for the time that is to come:
'< he hath brought up now of late the most monstrous kind of covetous-
" ness that ever was heard of: he hath invented fee farming of bene-
** fices, and all to decay this office of preaching ; insomuch that when
" any man hereafter shall have a benefice, he may go where he will, for
" any house he shall have to dwell upon, or any glebe land to keep hos-
*< pitality withal; but he must take up a chamber in an ale-house,
" and there sit to play at tables all the day. A goodly curate T'
Sixth Sermon before Edw. VI 1549.]

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58 LETTERS. [1633.

parsonage of Chevenyng for one of my servants, which then I
minded unto my servant Abberforde, supposing you would
not have exacted of him, ne charged the same further for
the yearly rent and revenues thereof, than was wont to be
paid ; yet, that notwithstanding, as I am informed, ye be
not contented and agreeable to take xvi*'. yearly therefore of
him, which, as I hear say, is xl*. more than was accustomed
to be paid before Master Milles had raised the same ; but
thereunto also you would have him stand charged, over and
besides the xvi^». with iiii^'. more, which amounteth every
year to the sum of xx*' : Sir, 1 much marvel that you will
desire thus far to exceed, in this uncertain world, from the
accustomed rent thereof; I had thought you would rather
have minished the old exaction than now to increase the
same. I trust therefore you will not so hardly regard my
first request herein, but am sure, after the most ^mple
manner, ye will accomplish your said promise to me in this
behalf. For in case my friend cannot somewhat likely have
a living thereby, I had rather he were without it than have
it. And what ye intend to do herein, I require you to send
me an answer thereof by this bringer. Thus fare you well.
From my manor of Otteforde the viii. day of October.
To the new Parson of Chevenyng, Mr. A.

LIX. To De. DowNEsd.

Harl. MSS. In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you : and

fol^3. b. forasmuch as heretofore I had a promise made unto me by

Doctor*^ Benett, (whose soul God pardon,) for the farm of

his prebend in Southwell, for a kinsman of mine named

John Thorpe; which said promise 1 doubted not herein

<i [He was Chancellor of the Church of York, and one of the divines
employed in compiling The Insiiiuiian of a Christian Man. His judg-
ment on Confirmation may be seen in Strype, Memorials, vol. i. A pp.
N». 88.]

« [Dr. William Benett, who succeeded Gardyner in 1529 as Henry
VIIl.'s ambassador at Rome, died abroad in the autumn of 1533. State
Papers, vol. i. p. 337 ; Burnet, Ref. vol. iii. p. 158.]

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1588.] LETTERS. 59

should have taken good effect in case death had not pre-
vented the same : in consideration hereof, and inasmuch as
by the death of the said Doctor Benett, the collation of it
belongeth unto my Lord your master^, I heartily pray you,
that if it be yours or any of my Lord's chaplains, ye will be
so good unto my said kinsman as to grant him, at this my
request, to have the farm thereof, doing as other reasonably
will do. And this if you can bring to pass to succeed ac-
cordingly, I will be both bound for the payment of the
money thereof, and also show unto you and yours like plea-
sure, &c. ix. day of October.

To Mr. Doctor Downes.

LX. To A Park-keeper.

I commend me unto you : and whereupon certain commu- HaH. MSS.
iiication had with this bearer, Master Roger Herman, I have fo'i?3'3. b.
assigned unto the same vi. loads of wood, to be delivered
out of that my park called CorelPs Wood, within that your
office, I will and command you therefore, that you suffer him
to carry the same, when he shall require it to be delivered
and appointed unto him, of such waste wood as shall be
meet for fuel, to the intent the timber or young spring be
not wasted thereby. And for your surety herein, this my
letter shall be unto you a sufficient warrant and discharge.
The X. day.

To the Keeper of my Parks, called Corell's Wood.

LXI. To THE Dean of the Arches.

Master Dean, I greet you well. And where you advise me Harl. MSS.
(upon the suit of EdwardesS unto you) to grant a new com- foi'*;.!.
mission to the same, for the examination of certain witness,
you know very well how aforetime 1 granted both parties
to have commissions in that behalf, at which season the said

' [The Archbishop of York.] « [See Letters xxxii. xxxiii.]

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60 LETTERS. [1688.

Edwardes regarded it not. And now forasmuch (by all
likelihood) as he, perceiving what the other witness hath de-
posed, would hereby find some way to delay and prolong
the matter; Sir, herein I signify unto you, that I am
nothing willing thereunto, for on this manner of granting
commissions we shall spend another year in waste, and be
no more nearer the matter than we be now. And where
you write unto me that Master Bedell^ hath such business,
that he cannot intend to examine the witness concerning
the matter in variance between the Abbot of Tyltey* and
my Lord of London^s chaplain, and so thereby you stay in
making out the commission, I will that you appoint Master
Trygonell to be jointly with Mr. Doctor Oliver, instead of
Mr. Bedell, in the said commission. The xi. day.
To the Dean of the Arches.

LXII. To Stapleton.
Harl. MSS. In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you : signi-
fol?34. fy^"S ^^ ^^^ same, that I am right glad to hear such good
report of you as I do, as well in that ye be so effectuously
minded and given to see your pastoral cure discharged by
your continual preaching and teaching, as also in confirm-
ing the same by your good conversation, example of living,
and charitable behaviour towards your neighbours, where-
unto I exhort you in Christ's behalf to go forward and pro-
ceed, as ye have hitherto right well begun. And where also
I am advertised, that by your both good provision, and pro-
vident wisdom, there is a free school maintained with you
for the virtuous bringing up of youth, I heartily require
you, inasmuch as with this bearer I send now unto you my
sister's son, named Thomas Rosell ^, apt (as I suppose) to
learning, that ye will at this my attemptation and request, do
so much as to see him ordered and instruct in such doctrine

^ [See Letter xiv.l

* [An abbey of W hite Monks in Essex, near Dunraow. Tanner,
Nottt. Motiast,]
k [See I>etter xli.]

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1638.] LETTERS. 61

as shall be convenient both for his age and capacity. And
for those your pains in so doing, I will always be ready to
show unto you like pleasure. Thus fare you well. From my
manor of Otteforde, the xiith day of October.
To Master Stapleton^ Parson of Byngham.

LXIII. To RosellI.

Brother, I right heartily commend me unto you, and in Harl. MSS.
like wise unto my sister your bedfellow, &c. And where of ^Jj^*
late I wrote to you, that ye should send your son to school
unto Southwell, supposing at that time that those parties
had been clear from sickness, so it is as I am now advertised
that they die there. In consideration thereof, and foras-
much as I am credibly informed that Master Stapleton,
Parson of Byngham, hath by his provision set up a free
school in his parish, of whose good name and conversation
I hear much report worthy of commendation and praise,
I will therefore advise you that forthwith you send your
said son thither unto school, to the intent the said Master
Stapleton may have the governance of him, to whom I have
written a letter in that behalf. The xii. day [of October].

To my right well beloved brother,
Mr. Rosell.

LXIV. To CauMWELL.

Right Worshipful Master Crumwell, in my right hearty chapter
wise I commend me to you : and likewise pray you to have Sr°°!!!.
my friend Mr. Newman"* in your good remembrance forster;
Mr. Benett's advowsonage, so that it may please you to q^^^ "
call the same out of Mr. Benett^s kinsman'^s hands, and topondencc.
send the same unto me by my secretary, this bearer, whom ^^*"
I do send unto you purposely at this time for that matter.

' [See Letters xli. lxii.]

"• jSee Letters iv. lix. lxxviii. cliii.]

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62 LETTERS. [1538.

And at such time as 1 may show you any pleasure, 1 pray
you to be as bold upon me. From my manor at Otford,
the xviith day of October.

Your own assured

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my
very loving friend Mr. Crumwell,
of the King's Grace's most honour-
able Council.

LXV. To THE Bishop of Hereford".

Hnrl. MSS. In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you, &c.

foM4. b. -^"^ forasmuch as 1 understand, by a supplication to me
delivered by this bearer, the parson of , that here-

tofore, through the procuration of one Mr. Robert ap David
Lloyd, your receiver, the same hath persuaded divers of this
complaintifTs parish, not alonely to withdraw their tithes
and oblations, but thereunto by the said David Lloyd's
sinister and misreport to you, caused his benefice to be se-
questrate, and the sequestration thereof committed to cer-
tain temporal men, amonges whom, one named Howell
Abowan, after he had received the fruits thereof, did so
waste and consume them, that when the sequestration was
relaxed, and this said complaintiff restored again^ he could
not, ne yet cannot obtain of the said Abowan any restitution
of his said fruits ; and where also, after that time you made
a final determination between this complaintiff and his pa-
rishioners concerning the said tithes and other misorders,
which for a certain time was well observed and took right
good effect, whereupon it was thought that all things should
have grown to a quietness, yet now, that notwithstanding,
the said David Lloid hath (as this complaintiff reportetb)
renewed the smd variance, whereby, as well his tithes is now
withdrawn again, contrary to your former determination, as

" [Charles Booth. He died in 1535, and was succeeded by Cran-
raer's friend, Edward Fox.]

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16S3.] LETTERS. 68

also denied him for the reformation thereof, against

all right and equity : in consideration of the premises, and
inasmuch as you in your diocese ought, before all other, to
see justice ministered, I exhort you, and thereunto require
the same, the rather at this my instance and request, to see
your foresaid determination concerning these matters of va-
riance, to be executed with justice ; for this complain tiff re-
quireth of you none other favour in this behalf, but according
to your determination he may enjoy the effect thereof. And
surely loth were I to take on me the redressing of any such
griefs within your diocese, unless for fault of justice I must
be constrained thereunto: but herein I doubt not that
your discretion and wisdom will suffer any such enor-
mities to be unreformed, when the verity and truth of them
shall be patified and made open unto you. Thus fare you
well. From my manor of Otteford the xviii. day of Octo-
ber.

To the Bishop of Harwarde.

LXVI. To Pallgeave o.

I do commend me unto you : signifying to the same, that Hari. MSS.
inasmuch as you write unto me, as well for the agreement of » J. ' *
the fruits of your benefice of St. Dunston^s concerning the
last quarter in the vacation time, as also for the oblations
offered there upon your Church holiday, I will that you,
for a final determination herein, do resort unto Pottekyns, to
know your end, to whom I have committed the ordering of
all such matters belonging unto me ; for you may right well
consider, that I am neither skilled herein, nor that it is con-
venient for me to meddle in such causes; and yet not
doubting but that mine officer will minister justice unto all
parties accordingly. And where you say also, that you are
not able to pay further out of hand so much money, but
thereunto requireth days of payment for the same : Sir, as

" [John Pawlesgrave was instituted to the rectory of St. Dunstan's,
the S*"** of October, 1533. Newcourt, Repertorium, vol. i. p. 334.]

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64 ' LETTERS. [1533.

touching that, I suppose you may better bear your neces-
sity, than I may mine, considering both my great charges
hitherto, and how I am thereby at this season compelled to
prove all the friends that I can make, for the satisfying of
such sums as be now due to be paid ; and yet I think not the
contrary but that I shall lack much for the accomplishment
of the same. Therefore I reckon you will rather endanger
yourself to your friends, than now to require any such com-
modity of me, being so far behind hand.

To Master Pallgrave^ Parson of St.
Dounston's in the East at London.

LXVII. To Lord Chancellor Audkley.

Hart. MSS. In my right hearty wise I commend me unto your good
35. * ' . Lordship, &c. And where I am advertised by this bearer,
Doctor Maye, my Vicar General within the diocese of Ely P,
that by reason that Doctor Clyff <l and other keepeth away
from him the records and registers belonging unto his office,
he cannot in divers matters and causes minister justice ac-
cordingly ; and forasmuch also^ as there is none other con-
venient way or means, neither by the course of the law spi-
ritual nor temporal, for the obtaining of them, as I am in this
behalf informed, I heartily require your good Lordship, that
you will at this mine instance cause a sergeant of arms to call
the parties which have the custody of the said registers

P [Nic. West, Bishop of Ely, died the twenty-eighth of April, 1533.
His successor, Thomas Goodrich, was elected the seventeenth of March«
and consecrated the nineteenth of April, 1534. Le Neve, Fasti. Dr.
Maye, as the Archbishop's Vicar General, seems to have governed the
diocese in the interval. There were two Doctors Maye, brothers,
and both eminent men. Dr. William Maye, who is probably the per-
son here mentioned, visited the diocese of Norwich as Cranmer's com-
missary in 1534, became Dean of St. Paul's 1545, was deprived under
Mary, and in the reign of Elizabeth was nominated to the Archbi&hoprick
of York, but died before consecration. Dr. John Maye was Master of
Catharine Hall, Cambridge, and in 1577 Bishop of Carlisle. Strype.]

^ [Probably the Dr. Cliff, who was Chanter of York and Dean of
Chester, and whose opinion on Confirmation is printed by Strype,
MemoriaUy vol. i. App. No. 38.]

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1638.] LETTERS. 65

before you, to the intent they may show reasonable causes
why they ought not to deliver them : and in thus doing you
shall both help to aid justice, and do also unto me singular
pleasure, which to recompence I will be at all times ready
and glad. This said bringer can further instruct your Lord-
ship in this, to whom I pray you to give credence. Thus fare
you well. From my manor at Ottford, the xxiiiith day
of October.

To my Lord Chancellor.

LXVIIL To

I greet you well. And where this bearer, my friend Master Hnrl. MSS.
Chesewryght, one of the Eing^s chaplains, hath the benefice Zl^' ^^^'
of Wysbeche given unto him, within the diocese of Ely,
whose suit unto me is for the agreement of the fruits thereof
no% in the vacation time, I will, that inasmuch as I can
little skill in that behalf, that you, with Master Pottkyns,
order the matter according to your discretions with favour.
And thus fare you well, &c.

LXIX. To HIS Chancellor.

Master Chancellor, I greet you well. And forasmuch as HarL MSS.
this bringer, the Vicar of Milton, complaineth and findeth ^^^'^ ** *
himself aggrieved, as well for that he is overcharged for the
King^s subsidy r, as also for an acre of glebe land withholden
from him; which injuries the Abbot of St. Austen's* doth
enforce him to sustain, both contrary to an ancient composi-
tion, and also the Act of the Parliament favouring him in
that behalf : I will, that you, in consideration hereof, examine

' [Probably the subsidy granted by Convocation in 1523, consisting
of tne half of all spiritusd benefices, to be levied in five years.
See Wilkins, Concilia, vol. iii. p. 699; and Letter cxlvii. An Act
of Parliament for a subsidy was passed in the same year, from which
the clergy were graciously excepted, provided that they taxed them<
selves to a higher amount. J

« [John Sturvey, alias Essex, Abbot of St. Augustin's Canterbury.]

VOL. I. F

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66 LETTERS. [1683.

his said composition, and thereupon send me word how you
think the matter standeth, to the intent I may see a redress
in that behalf.

LXX. To

HarLMSS. My especial good Lord, 1 most heartily commend me
,5^ * ^ ' unto your Lordship. Your loving letter by your servant I
have received, whereby I perceive your request therein ;
which to accomplish I would be as glad as any man living, if it
might stand both with my ordinary power and my honesty
withal ; for I fear me I have gone and proceeded so far al-
ready by way of promise herein, that conveniently I cannot
fulfil your desire in that behalf, whereof I am right sorry ;
and yet notwithstanding I will promise you to do that I
may therein, as it shall be well known to you hereafter.

LXXI. To.

Harl. MSS. In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And
36. ° where I am advertised by Master Dean of Lincoln'^s * letters
of your toward mind that you bear unto my kinsman and
servant Henry Byngham ", for his preferment unto the office
of the auditorship of the Church of Lyncoln, now being in
your hands and disposition ; to whom, as I understand, in that
behalf ye could be right well content to declare your con-
venient favour, in case you had not made a former grant
unto a kinsman of your own; which notwithstanding, as I
do again perceive, your mind is to entreat your said kinsman
to relinquish his interest therein : Sir, for this your gentle
and favourable behaviour hitherto towards my said kinsman,
I heartily give unto you condign thanks therefore ; requiring

* [James Mallet, installed in the deanery of Lincoln the 21st of
May 1532. Le Neve, Fasti.]

** [This may have been the Bingham who married Cranmer's sister.
See the articles preferred against the Archbishop in 1543, in Strype,
Cranmer, p. 17.]

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1633.] LETTERS. 67

the same, that now the rather at this mine instance and re-
quest, ye will as well on your behalf as also for the obtain-
ing the good will of your said kinsman, accomplish your in-
tended purpose herein; and in so doing I shall be at all
times ready to acquit and recompense the same accord-
ingly-

LXXII. To

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And Harl. Mss.
where I am advertised by my servant Jefere Eton, that you ,5^* ^ '
by your deed obligatory did stand bound in x^\ to one
Thomas Eton his brother, late deceased, to pay to him Ixvi^.
vm^. yearly, unto such time that he were advanced to
some spiritual promotion of the clear value of viii^. by the
year, over and above all charges and reprises; which said
Thomas Eton then afterward for a time exercised the room
of the officiallship in Exetre ; whereupon you denied the
payment of the said pension or annuity, contrary to the
right and order of the temporal law, as I am informed by
learned counsel : therefore and inasmuch as my said serv-
ant, now being sole executor unto his brother, must accom.
plish and perform his testament, I require you, and that the
rather at this mine instance and request, that ye will either
now pay unto the same all such sums of money, which in
the name of a pension or annuity were heretofore due unto
the said Thomas Eton his brother, or else to conclude some
reasonable agreement with him therefore, to the intent he
need not any further attempt the law in this behalf.

LXXIII. Thb Eael of Essex » to Cranmer.

My very good Lord, in my right hearty manner I commend me HaH. MSS.
unto your Grace ; and where it hath pleased you to write unto ^' ^* ^**'-

* [Henry Bourchier; by whose death by a fall from his horse in 1539,
without male issue, the title of Earl of Essex became extinct. This
correspondence coniirms Burnet's account of his being a severe man.
Bum. Ref. vol. iii. p.876.]

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68 LETTERS. [15S3.

me in favour of one Richard Stansbye, that is to admit him fa-
vourably to his declaration against a bill of complaint offered to
me against him, so that if he were found faultless of such things
as be surmised in the said complaint, he might with my favour en-
joy such as conscience would require ; or else, if he be found faulty,
that then upon his submission I would weigh the matter with
some charitable favour, the sooner at your request : my Lord, so it
is, that there is no such complaint offered to me against the said
Richard Stansbie, wherefore I might accomplish your said re-
quest. But the said Stansbie was of late my baily, and also my
copyholder of certain lands in Bilston, in Suffolk, for the favour
that of long time I did bear unto him, until that now of late, at
my court holden at Bilston foresaid, as well his dissimulate and
cloaked untruth in misusing of his office both as against me and
my tenants there, as his misdemeaning of his copyhold against the
customs used within the said manor was by the whole homage
presented. W here fore I have seized into my hands his said copy-
hold, according to right, conscience, and custom, and have also
deprived him of his office, intending never hereafter to bear him
no such favour, that he shall have any thing of me more than
right and conscience shall require ; praying your Grace so to be
contented therewith, nothing doubting the same, if your Grace
knew the said misdemeanours. And what pleasure I may show
to any other person at your request hereafter, I shall be glad to
do the same, as our Lord knoweth ; who have you in his blessed
tuition. The xiii. day of October.

By my Lord of Essex.

LXXIV. To THE Earl of Essex.

Harl MSS ^" ^^ right hearty wise I commend me unto your good
6148. fol. Lordship. These be to advertise you, that I have received
^ '^' your letters dated at Stansted the xiii, day of October.
Whereby I perceive that you intend not to do any wrong
to Richard Stansbye. notwithstanding any complaint or pre-
sentment made against him, which is my very trust, and
the rather at my request. Wherefore eftsoons, I will de-
sire you to be so good lord unto him, that two well learned

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1588.] LETTERS. 69

men and indifTerent may have the hearing of all matters,
that your Lordship is informed that he hath misordered
himself against you. And so be it, that the said Stansby
by any such misdemeanour hath not forfeit any of his
land or copyhold, then I trust your Lordship will be con-
tented that he may enjoy his lands and copyhold according
to right and conscience. And if the said two indifferent
learned men shall reasonably think that he bath misordered
himself in any point, the same Richarde Stansby shall
humbly require you to be his good lord, and shall to his
small power make such amends for his offences, as shall be by
the said two learned men thought reasonable. Trusting
that in this his age ye will the rather be good lord unto
him, and have herein the less regard to his negligence.
Which to recompense I doubt not but that you shall have
now no less good service of him, than ever you had of the
same heretofore ; and of my behalf such pleasure and com-
modity as you shall at any time require of me accordingly/.
An answer to the same by my Lord.

y [The Earl, it seems, paid do attention to this and some other letters ;
and at length provoked the following peremptory order from Henry

'* By ihe Kifig.

** To our right trusty and right wellbeloved Cousin and Counsellor, the H^ii. MSS.
''Earl of Essex. 6148. fol. '

'' Right trosty and right wellbeloved cousin, we greet you well. And 37* h*
" where upon complaint made unto us by our subject Richarde Stansby
'* for putting him out of certain copyholds, lands, and tenements, in
" your town of Bylston, which he and his ancestors have holden of
" you and your ancestors many years, it was thought by our Council
'' upon the examination of the matter to be reasonable, that our said
" subject should be restored to the possession of the said customary
*' lands and tenements, paying his rents and services to you for the
*' same, as hath been accustomed, till such time as the cause of seizure
** thereof were examined by our said Council, and an order therein
** taken as to justice and equity should appertain ; and that afterward
" our right trusty and right wellbeloved counsellor. Sir Thomas Audeley,
" Knight our Chancellor of England, and other of our counsellors, have
" directed unto you their several loving letters, advertising vou of the
'' mind of the residue of our Council in the premises, and advising you
** rather of yourself, upon the humble suit of our said subject, to restore
** him accordingly, than it should be done by any order of compulsion ;
** which notwidistanding, ye, neither following their wholesome admo-
** nitions, nor yet the romd and order of our said Council, will not in

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70 LETTERS. [1688.

LXXV. To CERTAIN Gentlemen in Hebtfordshibe.

Hari. Mss. In my right hearty wise I commeDd me unto you. And
39^ ' ^^^' where this bringer, Thomas Wiggynton, one of my tenants
of Tryng, hath offered unto me a supplication concerning
such injuries and wrongs as he is compelled to sustain, by
reason that certain unadvised persons, whose names are
comprised in the said supplication, hath unjustly, as he re-
porteth, both slandered and spoiled him of his goods and
good name ; and by cause it is against reason to give cre-
dence to one party, the other parties not heard ; and also,
forasmuch as the matter also being in a place so far distant
from me, that I cannot call the parties and witness before
me without their intolerable charges : I require you, foras-
much as you being as well justices of the peace as also
dwelling nigh there, to whom the administration of justice
the rather belongeth, that you will take the pains to peruse
this said supplication, and thereto to see such justice
ministered, as shall be thought convenient according to law
and good conscience, to the intent this poor man need not
any further to complain unto me or any other for the same.
To certain Gentlemen in Hartefordshire.

'< any wise [be] answerable to the same, but have lately sent to the
** lands and grounds in variance certain persons unknown ; which
<< being there assembled have forcibly kept the possession of the same,
** intending to cast out the goods of our said subject therein; being to
** the evil example of other, m case it should be suffered, as we be in-
" formed ; whereof we do not a little marvel : We let you to wit, tliat
<^ forasmuch as it belongeth unto us to minister right justice and equity
** to every of our subjects, and willing the order and decrees of our
** Council to be firmly obeyed and observed without violation, do signify
<^ unto you the premises; and not doubting that ye, being of such au-
" thority and one of our Council, will conform yourself to observe and
*' ensue such orders as is or shall be taken by our said Council, without
'' giving evil examples to other persons, or otherwise to give us occasion
" to compel you ; which of necessity we must do, if after such proceeding
*< ye thus attempt us; seeing it standeth not with good congruence nor
<< our prerogative, that the process and orders made by us and our
<< Council, or by our writs in causes of justice, should be resisted by any
" of our subjects, by colour of any manner liberty or franchise. And
'' therefore we will and command you to take good respect to yourself
** in this behalf, and to follow the orders of our Council therein : as ye
'^ will answer unto us at your peril in that behalf, and as you tender
" our pleasure. Yeven under our signet, nt our manor of Westminster
** the XXV i. day of March."]

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1688.] LETTERS. 71

LXXVI. To THE Archdeacon of Cantebbuey'.

Master Archdeacon^ in my right hearty wise I commend Harl. MSS.
me unto you. And where I am informed by my servant 3^^'.
John CreakeS that the farm of your parsonage of Hayes is
already, or else shortly like to be void, I heartily require you,
at thb mine instance, that you will grant to him the prefer-
ment thereof, whensoever the same shall next happen to be
void, he finding you suffident sureties for the pajrment
thereof, and thereto giving you as much as any other rea-
sonably will give. And what you intend to do herein, I re-
quire you to advertise me by this bearer, or as shortly as
you may conveniently. And if there be any pleasure that
I may do for you again, you may be sure to be bold of me
accordingly.

To the Archdeacon of Canterbury.

LXXVII. ToBoNERb.

In my right hearty manner I commend me to you. So Cotton
it is, as ye know right well, I stand in dread, lest our holy ^j^* g^^^

f. 234. b.

» [Wm. Warham, nephew to the late Archbishop. He resigned both Original,
the archdeaconry of Canterbury, and the provostship of Wingham in Bora. Re/.
March 1534, in &,yovuc of Edmund Cranmer, and retired on a pension. App.vol.iii.
Strype, Cranmer, p. 24; (edit. Oxf. 1819.) Le Neve, Fasti.] book ii.

* [See Letters xviii. xxxvii.] No. 34.

^ [<< I find moreover, that the Archbishop of Canterbury at this time, Strype,
<< suspecting the Pope would proceed a|ainst him, by the advice of Oanm.
" our King made his appeal also to the Council, which he desired our p. 31.
^* agents to intimate to the Pope. The success whereof yet doth not
" appear in our Records." Lord Herbert, Life of Henry VlII. p. 389.
Boner was now the English agent to the Pope, and had lately presented
to him the King's appeal at Marseilles. There can therefore be little
doubt of his being, as Strype supposes, the person who was entrusted
with a similar conmiission by Cranmer. Yet Burnet considered, it does
not appear on what jprounds, that this Letter was addressed to Crum-
well. See his Ei$t, of Reformat, vol. iii. p. 161 ; and Strype, Cranmer ^ p.
36. The appeal itself was probably never delivered ; for Boner, writine
on the 13th of November, nine days earlier, states that the Pope had
aLready left Marseilles, and that he himself was on thepoint of setting
out from thence on his return to England. Even if Cfranmer's letter
had been forwarded sooner, the rejection of the King's appeal as " fri-
" volous, forbidden, and unlawful," would have afforded but little en-

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n LETTERS. [168S.

father the Pope do intend to make some manner of preju-
dicial process against me and my Church ; and therefore
having probable conjectures thereof, I have provoked from
his Holiness to the General Council, accordingly as the
Eing^s Highness and his Council have advised me to do ;
which my provocation and a procuracy under my seal I do
send unto you herewith, desiring you right heartily to have
me commended to my Lord of Winchester^, and with his
advice and counsel to intimate the said provocation, after the
best manner that his Lordship and you shall think most ex-
pedient for me. I am the bolder thus to write unto you, ^
because the King^s Highness commanded me thus to do, (as
ye shall I trust further perceive by his Grace'*s letters,) no- ;
thing doubting in your goodness, but at this mine own de-
sire ye will be contented to take this pains, though his High-
ness shall percase forget to write unto you therein : which
your pains and kindness (if it shall lie in me in time to come
to recompense) I will not forget it, with God^s grace ; who
preserve you as myself. From Lambeth, the xxiid day of
November. [1533.]

Thomas Cantuar.

LXXVIII. To Crumwell.

MSS. Right Worshipful Master Crumwell, I commend me

Hmw^ heartily to you, likewise praying you to continue good mas-
Westmin- ter to my friend of old acquaintance Mr. Newman d, this
weirs Cor-' bearer, to whom, albeit I have been a tedious suitor unto
respond- you a long time, upon such comfortable promise as ye first
ginai, made unto me for him, I ettsoons pray you now to make
such resolute and comfortable answer tJierein, as I do trust

couragement to the presentation of another from the Archbishop. See
Boner's very curious narrative of his interview with the Pope, in Burnet,
Reformat, vol. iii. App. B. ii. No. 23.]

^ Stephen Gardyner; who was at this time at Marseilles on an em-
bassy to Francis I.

^ [See Letters iv. v. lxiv. cliii.]

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1588.] LETTERS. 78

to receive from you in the same; for seeing this was the
first suit that ever I made unto you, wherein, after that ye
had answer from Doctor Benet% ye promised me that I
should have my desire, and that I should not mistrust the
matter ; it would grieve me that the same should now take
none effect, seeing the matter doth now rest in your good-
ness and benevolence. As long as ye were only mediator
for me in it to him that had the thing, ye did ever give me
good hope and comfort in it, and therefore I do now trust
verily, that, seeing the same thing is come to your own
hands and disposition at your pleasure, ye will now be as
good in it, as ye were when ye were mediator for the same.
The truth is, that my friend aforesaid was bom in the same
paroche, which thing moveth him to be the more desirous of
it, and me to be the more importune upon you for him ; for
albeit I have offered unto him the expectation and ad vow -
sonage of some one promotion of my collation, of as good
value as is the value of the same thing that I do desire of
you, I assure you he hath refused the same, and deured me
(as a man much affectionate to his native country) to con-
tinue suitor unto you in this behalf; so that he regardeth
that benefice^ much better than my said overture. And
therefore I pray you, good Mr. Crumwell, stay not with me
now in this matter, seeing I have sued so long for the same,
and ever have had comfortable promise in it. And by these
my letters I do faithfully promise you, that ye shall have,
when ye will, as good a benefice of my gift for the same, as
that is, and so should ye have had and shall have, and as
much other pleasure as I may at any time show unto you,
or to any friend of yours for your sake, though I had never
written or spoken in this matter. When ye shall have cause
to prove me^ ye shall be assured to find me conformable to

« rSce Letter lix.]

^ [If, as may be coojectured from Letter v, the benefice coveted by
Newman was Baraack, Cranmer seems to have failed in his application :
for Robert Benett, probably a relative of Dr. W. Benett to whom the
advowson appears to have belonged, was rector there in 1535. Ved,
EccUs.]

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74 LETTERS. [16»S.

this my promise, God willing ; who ever keep you. From
Otforde the ^th day of November.

Your own assured

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my
very loving friend Master Crum-
well, of the King's Grace's most
honourable Council.

LXXIX. To Crumwell.

Chapter Right Worshipful Master Crumwell, in my right hearty

Westmin- Planner I commend me to you. So it is, that I lately re-
8ter;Crum-ceived certain letters from my friend Doctor GodericS, by
respond, whom I do perceive, that ye have not only spoken to the
cncc. Ori' King^s Highness for the loan of a thousand marks to my
Todd, Life "^> whose pleasure is (as the same Master Goderic writeth)
of Cran- that I shall receive of you at this time five hundred pounds
p. Q5. and no more, but also have practised with my Lord of
Wiltshire and other, which at this time do claim many duties
of me ; for which your kindness I do heartily thank you,
praying you to cause the same five hundred pounds to be
delivered to my secretary Thomas Berthlet, this bearer,
which shall deliver unto you an obligation for the payment
thereof, at such day as is expressed in the same ; which obli-
gation (in case the same be not made according to your
mind) I will be glad to reform, and seal unto you a new ac-
cordingly as ye shall require a new to be made, and will
send the same unto you with speed. From Otforde, the
26th day of November.

Your own assured

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my
very loving friend Master Crum.
well^ of the King's Grace's most
honourable Council.

s [Probably Dr. Thomas Goodrich, afterwards Bishop of £iv and
Lord Chancellor. He had been fellow of Jesus College, Uambridjp, at
the same time with Cranmer. See bis Life in Chalmers, Biogr. Die/.]

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1583.] LETTERS. 75

LXXX. To Lord Abergavenny.

My very special good Lord, I commend me heartily unto Harl. MSS.
your Lordship : signifying to the same, that my servant John ^'^' ^^^'
Creke hath advertised me of your loving mind towards me,
how willing you be to accompany me at Canterbury ^, where-
fore I give unto you most hearty thanks. Nevertheless I
will not at this season put you to any pains in this behalf.
Notwithstanding, if your lordship do send me some venison,
and especially a red deer or two, agiunst Tuesday next, you
should do unto me herein singular pleasure, which to requite
I would be always ready, Grod willing ; who keep and pre-
serve your good Lordship. From my manor of Ottforde,
the xxvii. of November.

To my Lord of Burgaveny.

LXXXL To THE Abbot of Westminster \

Brother Abbot, in my right hearty wise I commend me Harl. MSS.
unto you. And where, of your benevolence, ye promised unto ^'4*. fol.
me the next room which should chance to be void amonges
the beadipen of the foundation of King Henry the Eighth
[Seventh i ?] for one William [John ?] Fyssher, so it is, as I
am credibly informed, that there is now one of the said
rooms void and in your disposition. I heartily require you
therefore, that the said John F. may be preferred thereunto,
according to your aforesaid promise. And in so doing I
will be at all times ready to requite the same accordingly,
God willing; who keep you, &c. The xxix. day of November.

To my brother Abbot, the Abbot
of Westminster.

*> [Cranmer was installed at Canterbury on the 3rd of Dec. 1533.
Lord Abergavenny, who held an office under him, had probably offered
to attend nim on the occasion. The approaching ceremony explains
also the application for venison.]

* [William Boston or Benson. See Letter vii.]

j [See Letter XXVII.]

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76 LETTERS. [1S38.

LXXXII. To King Heney VIII.

Harl. MSS. Pleaseth it your Most Noble Grace to understand, that
148. o . ^j^^ feigned revelations and illusions of the false Nun ^ of St.
Sepulcres here at Canterbury e, and the other matters con-
tmned in them, now after that they have been opened and
declared to the people \ be had in great abomination and de-
testation unto them. And as far as I can perceive or learn,
all your Grace^s people here be as glad as any men may be,
that the said false and forged matters be come to light. And
as concerning the Prior ^ and Convent of my Church, (whom
I have diligently examined,) I find them as conformable and
reformable as any number with whom I have communed
any time. And I see them greatly sorrow and lament, that
any of their congregation " should order himself so, that such

^ [The countennnce which she received from such men as Wolsey,
Warnam, More, and Fisher, the important political character of several
of her revelations, and her exaltation by some Roman Catholic writers
to the rank of a martyr, have all combmed to give celebrity to Eliza-
beth Barton, " the Holy Maid of Kent." A brief account of her impos-
tures is given by Cranmer himself in Letter lxxxiv. Her story is told
at length in the preamble to the Act of Parliament for her attainder,
(Stat. 25 Hen. Vill. c. 12.) an abstract of which will be found in Burnet.
See also some curious particulars in Strype, Memorials, vol. i. p. 177.
The Nun herself, Bocking, Dering, Risby and Rich, two observant
friars, Richard Master Parson of Aldington, and Henry Golde Parson
of Aldermary, were hanged at Tyburn, the 20th of April, 1534. Stow,
Annals; Strype, Memorials.']

^ [" All whose detestable facts, as well of idolatry, heresy, and also of
" treason, were so wittily and learnedly, by God's word, convinced at
*' Canterbury by Dr. Hethe, now Chancellor of England, (she being pre-
'* sent and openly confessing the same,) and also by another learned
** man [Salcot, Bishop of Bangor] at Paul's Cross ; that the most part of
** them which were before by her seduced, did then utterly abhor her
** shameless and abominable facts.*' Confutation of' Unwritten Verities,
(vol. iv.) A portion of an address to the people on this imposture, with
corrections in Cranmer*8 handwriting, is still preserved in the Chapter
House, Westminster ; Theological Tracts, vol. vii. fol. 16. It may per-
haps be part of the abovementioned discourse by Hethe, which the
Archbishop probably thought proper to submit to the inspection of
Crumwell. Some extracts from it nave been inserted in the notes.]

"» [Thomas Goldwell. At the dissolution he had been Prior of
Christ's Church twenty-three years, and received a pension of 80/ per
annum. Somner, Ant. of Cant, by Battely, part iii. p. 116.1

" [Dr. Edward Bockyng, the Nun's ghostly father and chief adviser,
and John Dering, who had a great share in compiling the books of her
revelations, were both monks of Christ's Churchy Canterbury. See Let-
ters xc. cLviii, note.]

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1533] LETTERS. 77

word and slander should grow of this occasion, or that there-
by occasion should be given to your Grace to take displea-
sure against the whole company, amonges whom few in com-
parison of their great number appear to be knowing or con-
senting to the said false revelations or illusions. And almost
only such as were Doctor Bokkynge^s novices, men of young
years, and of less knowledge and experience. The Prior of
my Church, a man of great simplicity, and void of malice, as
far as I can judge, hath been touched with this matter ; but
I cannot understand that he hath reported it to any other,
but only to my predecessor, then being his ordinary and
your Grace^s counsellor. Which prior and his brethren,
the saddest and seniors of the house, with all the other
young sort^ considering the matter sounding to your Grace^s
displeasure, which they regard as greatly as they do any
thing else in this world, (as far as I can judge,) be greatly
discomforted, dismayed, and sad, and have desired me very
instantly to be a mediator for them to your Most Noble
Majesty, to be gracious and merciful unto them, offering of
their free wills, (besides their fervent prayers for your noble
estate long and prosperously to endure) to do some plea-
sure unto your Highness after their power, to attain your
gracious favour, mercy, and pardon. And I suppose they
will desire me to offer unto your Grace for a pleasure, ii.
or iii. c*>. Wherein I dare nothing do, unless your Grace's
pleasure be to me first known, assuring your Grace, that
as far as I can understand by any means that I can de^
vise, that besides the ornaments of the Church and some
plate that the Prior and certain officers hath, this monastery
is not aforehand, but in debt divers ways. In consideration
whereof and of their good minds, I most humbly beseech
your Highness to be gracious and merciful unto them, the
rather for my poor intercession ; and that they may have
some comfortable word or letter from your Grace, for their
comfortation in this their great pensiveness and dolour.
Thus our Lord have your Grace evermore in his preser-
vation and governance. From my place at Canterburye, the
xiii, day of December. [1683.]

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78 LETTERS. [1533.

LXXXIII. To Crumwell.
Chapter Right Worshipful Mr. Crumwell, in my right hearty

Westmin- ^^^® ^ Commend me unto you : doing you to understand,
8tcr;Cruni-that I have received by John Anthony, this bearer, such
respond-'^" letters as ye directed to my Lord Elect of Chester <>, and to
ence. Chi- ]yj,.^ BediU P ; by which I do perceive, that it is the King's
Grace's pleasure that my smd Lord Elect and Master Bedyll,
which departed from Canterbury afore the receipt of your
said letters, should leave the Parson of Aldington ^, Dering
the monk, and Father Laurence ^ behind them in ward and
safe keeping, but not as men at liberty. But forasmuch
as this bearer showed me, that it was your mind that the
said persons should be put to liberty in their own houses
upon sufficient surety, I do now stand in doubt, whether I
may commit them to ward and safe keeping according to
your said letters, or else put them at liberty in their own
houses upon sufficient surety, according to such word as the
said Anthony brought unto me ; whom I do remit unto you
at this time with these my letters to ascertain you of the
premises, and to bring from you such letters as shall please
you to direct unto me of your resolute mind in this behalf.
The said three persons shall in the mean time remain in
ward and safe keeping, until I may know your mind in this
matter. The Parson of Aldington and the monk Dering
were this Tuesday at night delivered unto me at my ma-
nor at Forde, and the other is not yet come unto me.

® [Dr. Rowland Lee. See the next Letter.]

P [See Letter xiv. p. 28.J

4 [Richard Master. He was very instrumental in bringing Eliz. Barton
into notice. Aldington being the place where at the commencement of
the imposture she was living as a maid servant.]

' [" Thomas Lawrence, being register to the Archdeacon of Canter-
" bury, at the instance of £dw. Bockyng wrote a great book of the
" false and feigned miracles and revelations of the said Elizabeth, in a
" fair hand, ready to be a copy to the printer." Stat. 25. Hen. VIII.
c. 12. " She sent her revelation [to the Pope,] by Silvester Darius and
** by one John Anthony Pulleon, the Pope's ambassadors in England ;
" betwixt the which Nun and Silvester Darius was interpreter this
^* old man, one Lawrence of Cant, scribe to the Archdeacon of Canter-
« bury." MS. Chapter House, Westminster, TheoL Tracts, vol. vii.]

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1688.] LETTERS. 79

From my manor at Forde, the xvi. day of December.
[1638.]

Your assured

Thomas Cantuar.

To the Right Worshipful and my very
loving friend Mr. Crmnwell, of the
King's Grace's most honourahle
Council.

LXXXIV. To Archdeacon Hawkyns.

Master Archdeacon, I[n] my right hearty wise I commend Harl. Mss.
me unto you. These be to ascertain you of such news as be ^g^* ^^^'
here now in fame amonges us in England. And first ye ^^^
shall understand, that at Canterbury within my diocese, ^*»»«»^
about eight years past, there was wrought a great miracle in a Nov. iSao.
maid by the power of God and our Lady, named our Lady Todd, lA/e
of Courteupstret ; by reason of the which miracle there is me/,^]. i
stablisbed a great pilgrimage, and ever since many devout P- ^<
people hath sought to that foresaid Lady of Curte of
Strett

The miracle was this : the maid was taken with a griev-
ous and a continual sickness, and in during her said sick-
ness she had divers and many trances, speaking of many
high and godly things, telling also wondrously, by the
power of the Holy Ghost as it was thought, things done
and said in other places, whereas neither she was herself,
nor yet heard no report thereof. She had also in her trances
many strange visions and revelations, as of heaven, heU, and
purgatory, and of the state of certain souls departed *, and

' [For instance ; ** that o^y Lord Cardinal came to hit death before
^* God would have had liim by the space of fifteen years, and therefore
« Almighty God hath given no sentence upon him, but will defer it till
** those years be expired, which it was the will of God he should have
<< lived m the world.^ MS. Chapter House, Westminster, Theolog.
Tractt, vol. vii. fol. 16. In another of her revelations she described,
how she saw the disputations of the devils for Wolsey*s soul ; and
how she was three tiroes lift up and could not sec him, neither in
heaven, hell, nor purgatory : and at the last where she saw him ; and

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80 LETTERS. [1533.

amonges all other visions one was, that [she] should be con-
veyed to our Lady of Courte of Strett, where she was pro-
mised to be healed of her sickness^ and that Almighty God
should work wonders in her ; and when she was brought
thither and Isud before the image of our Lady, her face was
wonderfully disfigured, her tongue hanging out, and her
eyes being in a manner plucked out and laid upon her
cheeks^ and so greatly disordered. Then was there heard a
voice speaking within her belly, as it had been in a tan ;
her lips not greatly moving; she all that while continuing
by the space of three hours and more in a trance ; the which
voice, when it told any thing of the joys of heaven, it spake
so sweetly and so heavenly that every man was ravished
with the hearing thereof; and contrary, when it told any
thing of hell, it spake so horribly and terribly that it put the
hearers in a great fear. It spake also many things for the
confirmation of pilgrimages and trentals, hearing of masses,
and confession, and many such other things. And after she
had lain there a long time, she came to herself again, and
was perfectly whole ', and so this miracle was finished and
solemnly rung, and a book written of all the whole story
thereof, and put into print, which ever since that time bath
been commonly sold and gone abroad amonges all people.
After tliis miracle done, she had a commandment from God
in a vision, as she said, to profess herself a nun. And so she
was professed, and hath so continued, in a nunnery at Canter-
bury, called St. Sepulcre\ ever since.

And then she chose a monk of Christ^s Church, a doctor
in divinity ", to be ghostly father, whose counsel she hath
used and evermore followed in all her doing. And ever-
more since from time to time hath had almost every week

how by her penance he was brought unto heaven. See Strype, JHe-
morialt, vol. i. p. 178.]

' [<< After mass she kneeled afore the image of our Lady of Court of
** Street, and said then she was made perfectly whole, where she was
*' perfectly whole afore she came thither, as she hath plainly and
*^ openly confessed afore divers of the King's Grace's Council. MS.
Chapter House, Westminster, TJieoL Tract$, vol. vii.l

^ [Edward Bockyng. '' He informed the said Archoishop [Warham,]
'^ that a voice had spoken in her in one of her trances, that it was the
'< pleasure of God tliat be should be her ghostly father." MS. ibid.]

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1638.] LETTERS. 81

or at the furthest every fortnight, new visions and revela-
tions, and she hath had oftentimes trances and raptures, by
reason whereof, and also of the great perfectness that was
thought to be in her, divers and many as well great men of
the realm as mean men, and many learned men, but speci-
ally divers and many religious men, had great confidence in
her, and often resorted unto her and communed with her, to
the intent they might by her know the will of God ; and
chiefly concerning the King's marriage », the great here-
sies and schisms within the realm, and the taking away the
liberties of the Church ; for in these three points standeth the
great number of her visions, which were so many, that her
ghostly father could scantly write them in three or four
quires of paper. And surely I think, that she did marvel-
lously stop the going forward of the King's marriage by the
reason of her visions, which she sidd was of God, persuading
them that came unto her how highly God was displeased
therewith, and what vengeance Almighty God would take
upon all the favourers thereof; insomuch that she wrote

* [** For all the time of her abode at Aldington, she meddled not

** with the King's Grace's marriage But after that she had been at

*< Canterbury a while, and had heard this said Dr. Bockyng rail like a
«• frantic person against the King's Grace's purposed marriage, iigainst
<' his Acts of Parliament, and against the maintenance of heresies
*< within this realm, declaring and blustering out his cankered malice,
'* . . . then soon after she began to feign herself to have visions and re-
^< relations from God, and said that God commanded her to say to the
^ late Lord Cardinal, and also to the late Archbishop of Canterbury,
'< that if they married, or furthered the King's Grace to be married to
^ the Queen that now is, they both should be utterly destroyed. And
**• so she showed them under such manner, that it appeared by their
** acts and deeds that they gave confidence to her ; for the said Arch-
<< bishop had, afore her coming to him, provoked fh>m the Pope to the
*' General Council, intending to proceed in the King*s Grace's matter
** of matrimony and divorce, seeing his Grace could have none indifier-
*^ eut justice showed him in other places. . . . And the said Cardinal was
*^ as well minded and bent to go forth in the King's Grace's said cause
'< of matrimony and divorce as any man living, accordinj^ to the law of
** God and the law of nature, till he was perverted by this Nun, and in-
**• duced to believe, that if he proceeded in the same, God would sore
** strike him." MS. Chapter House, Theol. TractSy vol. vii. It will
be seen that Cranmer also expresses an opinion, that Wolsey was
influenced by the Nun. But it is much more likely that he had
some design of using her as a tool, than that he really gnve credit to
her visions.]

VOL. I. G

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82 LETTERS. [1533.

letters to the Pope^ calling upon him in God'^s behalf to stop
and let the said marriage, and to use his high and heavenly
power therein, as he would avoid the great stroke of God^
which then hanged ready over his head, if he did the con-
trary. She had also communication with my Lord Cardi-
nal and with my Lord of Canterbury my predecessor^ in
the matter ; and [in] mine opinion, with her feigned visions
and godly threatenings, she stayed them very much in the
matter.

She had also secret knowledge of divers other things, and
then she feigned that she had knowledge thereof from God ;
insomuch that she conceived letters and sent them forth,
making divers people believe that those letters were written
in heaven y, and sent from thence to earthly creatures. Now
about Midsummer last, I, hearing of these matters, sent for
this holy maid, to examine her ^ ; and from me she was had
to Master Cromewell, to be further examined there. And
now she hath confessed all, and uttered the very truth,
which is this : that she never had vision in all her life, but
all that ever she said was feigned of her own imagination,
only to satisfy the minds of them the which resorted unto
her, and to obtain worldly praise : by reason of the which her
confession, many and divers, both religious men and other,
be now in trouble, forasmuch as they consented to her mis-
chievous and feigned visions, which contained much perilous
sedition and also treason, and would not utter it, but rather
further the same to their power.

She said that the King should not continue King a month
after that he were married. And within six months after,
God would strike the realm with such a plague as never
was seen, and then the King should be destroyed. She took
upon her also to show the condition and state of souls de^

y [Mary Magdalen was said to have given lier a letter that was
written in heaven in characters of gold : '* which is as false as God is
'< true : for by much inauisition Mary Magdalen is found out, and is
'< turned into a monk ot St. Augustin's in this town, named Hawke-
'' herste, which hath confessed the writing thereof, and the limning of
'' these golden words Jthut Maria, which be written above the letter."
MS. Chapter House, Westminster, Theol. Tracts, vol. vii.

» [See Letter xxx.]

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1588] LETTERS. 88

parted, as of my Lord Cardinal % my late Lord of Canterbury,
with divers other. To show you the whole story of all the
matter, it were too long to write in two or three letters ; you
shall know further thereof at your coming home.

As touching the bishopricks that be void, ye shall under-
stand, that Doctor Salcott, the Abbot of Hydde, is elect
Bishop of Banger, Doctor Lee, the lawyer, is elect Bishop
of Chestre ^. There is as yet none elect Bishop of Elie : you
shall know at your coming home who shall be c. The Parlia-
ment is not holden this term, but is prorogued to the xv.
day of January. The Queen^s Grace was brought about
the xiii. or xiv. ^ day of September of a princess. I myself

* [See p. 79, note (s.)]

^ p There sat but one Bishop at Chester before 1541, viz. Peter,
" consecrated 1067 : yet several of his successors in the see denomi-
" nated themselves Bishops of Chester instead of Litchfield." Willis,
Hist. ofCathedraUy vol. i. p. 318. So also Le Neve. Yet Stow says, that
** Dr. Rowland Lee, that married the King to Queen Anne, was
'' made Bishop of Chester, then Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield,
<< and President of Wales.^ AnnaU. His election to the see of Litch-
field and Coventry took place the 10th of January, 1534. Le Neve,
FastiA
c [See Letter xiv. p. 33, note (d.)]

<i [It is singular that this date is not correct. The Princess Eliza-
beth was bom on Sunday, September the 7th ; as is proved beyond dis-
pute by an official note announcing the event, from Queen Anne Boleyn
to Lord Cobham, which is preserved in the Harleian Collection, and
has lately been printed in the State Papen, This note, it may be re-
marked, was evidently prepared beforehand, by a secretary who antici-
?ated the gratification of the King's wishes for a son; for the word
^rince has been altered in two places into Princess by the insertion of
an s. The well known passage of Shakspeare on this subject will occur
to every one :

" K. Hen. Now by thy looks,

** I guess thy message. Is the Queen delivered ?
** Say, ay ; and of a boy.

« Lady Ay, ay, my liege ;

" And of a lovely boy : the God of heaven
" Both now and ever bless her ! 'tis a girl,
" Promises boys hereafter." Hen. VIIL
The Latin lines in Holinshed both give the date accurately, and
notice that the birth took place on a Sunday.

Septembris (Deus hoc voluit) quae septima lux est
Consecrata venit Domino volventibus annis,
Parturiet conjux Henrici principis Anna.
But his authority has not been universally followed by historians ;
some naming September the 6th, others, like Cranmer, September
the 13th.]

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84 LETTERS. [1583.

was godfather c, the old Duchess of Northfolke and my
Lady Marquess Dorset were godmothers. The Duke of
Richmondef hath married my Lady Mary, the Duke of
Northfolke's daughter. From Lamethe, the xx. day of De-
cember, Ao. XXV Reg. [1533.]

LXXXV. To A Prior.

Harl.MSS. Brother Prior, I do right heartily commend me unto you.

40. * ^°^ ^ likewise desire the same, that, at this mine instance,
ye will grant unto me the next admission of a student unto
the University of Oxford, when any such of your company
shall hereafter happen to be permitted thereunto. And for
the same I will be ready to do unto [you] as great a plea-
sure. From my manor of Ford, the xxv. day of December.

LXXXVI. To HIS Chancellor and Dean of the
Arches.
Harl. MSS. I Commend me unto you. And whereas the Commissary S of
foi*^o ™y jurisdiction in Calice writeth unto me as well concerning
my visitation there, as also for mine advice in an unlawful
matrimony now depending before him ; wherein it seemeth,
that he hath further proceeded in that behalf than perad-
venture he ought, as you may partly conjecture by this his
letter herein enclosed : I require you therefore, that, inas*
much as these matters before specified are more largely de-
clared in his said letter, that you, according to the effect of
them, with all celerity do send me your advice what is most
expedient to be done, touching the ready expedition hereof.
Thus fare you well. From my manor of Forde, the xxvii.
day of December.

To my Chancellor and Dean of the

Arches.

« rSee the last scene in Shakspeare*8 Hen. VIII.]
^ [Henry Fitzroy, the King's natural son. He was at this time four-
teen years old.]
s [John Butler. See Letters xci. ccxxv.]

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1688.] LETTERS. 86

LXXXVII. To THE Abbot op Reading^.

Brother Abbot, I commend me unto you. And whereas Hari. MSS.
I am credibly informed, that, through the death of Doctor^'^*^*^'
Benet, (whose soul Grod pardon,) there is the collation of a
benefice called Aston, in Hartefordshere >, in your hands
and disposition ; which, forasmuch as the same standeth very
commodiously for a friend of mine, I heartily require you
that at this time you will give unto me the collation thereof,
not doubting but that I shall exhibit and promote such a
personage thereunto, as you shall hereafter think the same
well bestowed. And I for my part will be ready at all times
to show unto you like pleasure accordingly.

LXXXVIII. To

I commend me unto you. And where I do right well Hari. MSS.
perceive by a testament now before me of one Thomas fy\^ ^, y,^
Broune, late Poticary of the town of Bristow, that he,
amonges other legacies comprised therein, hath bequeathed
and given a certain garden lying and being in C. Street, to
my loving friend David Hutton, which said garden ye (in
the name and title of Marget your wife^ late wife and
executrix to the said Thomas Broune) do retain and occupy,
not alonely contrary to the intent of his said will, but also
against good right and conscience denieth unto the said
David the just possesion thereof: I do require you, and
thereto likewise exhort you, for a more quietness herein,
that ye, according to the delegation of the said testament,
from henceforth do not interrupt, let, or hinder the said
David lawfully requiring or seeking his interest in the said
garden ; to the intent that you, in your so doing, may both

* [There is no authority in the raanascript for this address, but there
can be little doubt of its being correct : for the Manor and Church of
Aston were given by the Queen of Henry I. to the Abbot and Monks
of Reading, and continued in their possession till the general dissolu-
tion. Chauncy, Antiq. qf Hertfordthire.1

* [Near Stevenage.]

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86 LETTERS. [16»4

accomplish justice, and also avoid thereby farther incoDTeni-
ence that may ensue on your behalf, if he, in attempting the
law agmnst you, do attain unto the same ; whereunto you
shall enforce him, if you persist in denying his just claim
thereunto. And where also the said Thomas Broune be-
queathed xx" towards the marriage of a certain maid
named Ales B., as likewise amonges the legacies of the
said testament more evidently it doth appear, which sum of
money the said David Hutton delivered unto you, to the
intent that you should in the mean season have the occupy-
ing of the same ; so it is, as I am informed, that ye be not
now willing to depart from it, and in a manner denieth the
receipt thereof. Therefore eftsoons I desire you, to the
intent so charitable a deed be not hindered, nor the young
woman defrauded of her right, that the said xx"- may be
delivered unto the said David Hutton, that thereby he, ac-
cording both to his office, trust, and fidelity to him com-
mitted, may as well foresee the performance of the said
legacy, as also provide for the safe custody of the same
sum against such time it may be due to be paid.

LXXXIX. To Ceumwell ^.
Chapter In my right hearty manner I commend me unto you: cer-

Wcstmin. tifying you, that to accomplish the King's commandment I
stcr *

Crumwell'8 ^ t^*"' ^°^^ considers this Letter to refer to an embassy from Ene-
Corres- ***"<* ^^ ^^^ German princes assembled at Smalcald in Dec. 1535, m
pondencc. which Hethe was associated with Fox, Bishop of Hereford, and Dr.
Oi'iginal. Barnes. {Life of Cranmer^ vol. i. p. 147.) But the object of that mis-
sion was the formation of a Protestant league against the Pope, rather
than the defence of the King's marriage to Anne Boleyn ; which was
manifestly the « great cause" now to be maintained. The Letter seems
also to have been addressed to C rum well before he was Secretary of
State; and if so, must have been written in January 1534. (See State
Papers, vol. i. p. 425, note.) And it is clear from the language of Let-
ter clii, that Hethe filled some diplomatic situation on the continent
before June 1535. He may perhaps have succeeded Archdeacon
Hawkyns at the Court of the Emperor Charles V. early in 1534; or he
may have been sent to a meeting of the German reformers held at Nu-
remberg in May of the same year; (when, according to Seckendorf, an
attempt was made on the part of Hen. VIII. to obtain their approbation
of his divorce ;) or he may have been employed on both these services.

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1684.] LETTERS. 87

shall send unto you Mr. Heth^ to-morrow, which for his Todd, Life
learning, wisdom, discretion, and sincere mind toward his^J^^]*-,.
prince, I know no man in my judgment more meet to serve p. i4*'
the Eing^s Highness* purpose ; yet for many other consi-
derations I know no man more unable to appoint himself to
the King's honour than he ; for he lacketh apparel, horses,
plate, money, and all things convenient for such a journey ;
he hath also no benefice, nor no promotion towards the
bearing of his charges. And as you know I am in great
necessity, and not able to help him, in all these things I
know no remedy, unless it please the King's Highness to
furnish him of all things necessary to his voyage, and more-

Upon the whole, the most probable date of the Letter appears to be
1534. See Letter xiv. note (d). Seckendorf, Comment, de Lutheran.
lib. iii. §. xxvi. (8.) and §. xxxix. Add. (d) and (e)].

1 [Nicholas Hetbe, afterwards a distinguished ornament of the Church
of Kome, was at this time a zealous reformer. He seems indeed, from
his conversation with Cranmer in the preceding year, to have been in-
clined to depart farther from the received doctrines than most of his
brethren. " When," says Foxe, ** they had finished the examination of
" Frith, (see Letter xi v. p. 3 1 .) the Archbishop conferring with Dr. Hethe
" privately between themselves said ; * This roan hath wonderfully tra-

" « vailed in this matter, and yet in mine opiuion he taketh the doctors
" * amiss.' *Well mv lord,' should Dr. Hethe say, * there was no man
** * that could avoid his authorities of Si. Augustmc.' * Wherein ?' said
'* my lord. Tlien Dr. Hethe began to repeat the said authoritic
'< St. Augustine again, inferring and applymz them so straitly agi
<< my lord of Canterbury, that my lord was driven to his shot anc
*' and said :' I see by it,' quoth he to Hethe, ' that you with a little t
" * study will be easily broueht to Frith's opinion,' or such like won

. Augustii

my lord. Tlien Dr. Hethe began to repeat the said authorities of

'< St. Augustine again, inferring and applymz them so straitly against

» driven to his shot anchor,
5 more
J brought to Frith's opinion,' or such like words in
'^ effect. And some chaplains there were of my lord of Canterbury's,
'< which openly reported, that Dr. Hethe was as able to defend Frith's
" assertions in the sacrament as Frith was himself Foxe, AcUy 4^c. vol.
iii. p.991. Under Henry VIIL Hethe was successively Bishop of Roches-
ter and Worcester ; under Edward VI. he was deprived ; under Mary
he became Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor, and in the latter
capacity si^ed the writ for Cranmer's execution; and under Eliza-
beth, " he lived after a little trouble, quietly and nobly in his own Lord-
** ship of Chobham, situate in Surrey. He was always honourably es-
*' teemed by the Queen, and sometimes had the honour to be visited by
*^ her Majesty." Strype, Annaltf vol. i. p. 142. But it was not the least
of his honours to have deserved the praise of Melancthon. This learn-
ed reformer, who became acquainted with him at the conferences at
Smalcald, has thus contrasted nim with his colleagues Fox and Barnes;
** Unus Nicolaus Hethus Archidiaconus humanitate et literis excellit
** inter hospites nostros. Cicteri tlytvrroi n/nri^i ptx»0»^lm,t ««i yXvKvmrHf
** ideo conversationem eorum fiigio quantum possum.'' Seckendorf,
Comm, de Luth. lib. iii. §. xxxii. Add. (e.) See also Wood, Athen. Oxon,
vol. i. p. 704. Fuller, Church Hist, book viii. sect. ii. §. 19.

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88 LETTERS. [16S4.

over to allow him such a diet, whereof alone he may main-
tain his room and office to the King's honour. Wherein I
beseech you to persuade the King's Highness in my name,
adding thereunto all the help that you may do also. And
as for his acquaintance with the King's great cause, I know
no man in England can defend it better than he. Never-
theless I pray you send him again to me, that we may con-
fer it together once again, before he depart hence. Thus
our Lord have you in his preservation. From my manor at
Otteforde the 5th day of January.

Your own assured

Thomas Cantuar.
To mine especial and singular good
friend Master Cromewell.

XC. To Crumwell.

Chapter Right Worshipful Master Crumwell, in my hearty man-

Westmin- "^^ ^ commend me to you. So it is that at my late being

■^nCrum-at Forde, it was brought to my notice and knowledge, that

respond. ' the Monk Dering <" hath lately compilcld and made (sithens

ence. (hi- jj^^ g^g^ ^\^q ^^^ jj,.^ Henry Golde " came to be examined

before me) a certain treaty de Duplice Spiritu, in which

mention is made, as well for the defence of the Nun's revela-

tions, as for the soluting of my reasons made unto the said

Golde. Whereupon I have diligently examined the said

Dering, which hath confessed that he hath made such a

book, but he will in no wise be known where it is, saying

that he hath burned the same. That notwithstanding, I

have caused him to write the whole effect (as he saith it is)

of the same book, the copy whereof I have sent unto you

sealed, which is a very minute thing, in respect of the same

" [See Letters lxxxii — lxxxiv.]

n ['* Uenry Golde took upon him to be interpreter between Eliza-

and

" beth Barton, and one of the Pope's orators, named Anthonye Pul
*< lyon/'. . ." And the said Henir Gold over this, actually traveUed an(
** made relation thereof to the Lady Katharyne, Princess Dowager, to
** animate her to make commotion m this realm against our Sovereign
" Lord." Stat. 25 Hen. VIIL cap. IS.]

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16S4.] LETTERS. 89

book which was first made, as it b thought. And there-
fore I pray you to take the pains to examine the said
Golde, and such other of his adherents, as .ye shall think
most meet to be examined in this matter ; whether he or
they, or any of them do know of any such book, or have
seen or heard of any such or not, and at your convenient
leisure to ascertain me of his and their sayings in this behalf,
and of all such other comperts as you shall by the same
your examination try and search out. For the person, by
whom I came to the knowledge hereof, hath informed me,
that the book was delivered unto the said Golde, and that
he thinketh that Golde hath it still in his custody ; where-
fore I do think it very expedient that some good and po-
litic mean be made for the trial and search of the verity in
the premises betimes, without tract or delay, praying you
that it may be so. From Ottforde, the 6th day of January.
[1684.]

Your own assured ever

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and his very

loving friend Mr. Cnunwell^ o£ the

King's Grace's most honourable

CouncU.

XCI. To John Butlero.

I commend me to you : willing you that ye shall nothing Harl. MSS.
do touching my visitation in those parties at Calice, until ye ^'^* ^°'-
shall farther know of my mind therein ; but such diligent in-
qui^tion as shall he in you to make for the trial an'd truth
of the matrimony between Fraunceis Hastynges and his pre-
tended wife, I will that ye shall use and make ; and espe-
dally to learn and know, how and for what cause the first
matrimony between Davison and the said pretended wife of
Hastynges was dissolved, and of the premises to ascertain
me, with as good speed as ye may therein convenientiy use.
* [See Letters lxxxvi. ccxxv.]

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90 LETTERS. [1534.

This done, ye shall afterwards know farther of my mind
touching the same. Albeit in the mean time, if Davison be
dwelling or commorant within my jurisdiction there, ye shall
call and convent him and the other two personages afore
you ; and first examine the former contract : which done,
ye shall much the sooner come to the verity and truth of the
second. But in case the said Davison be in England, or in
any place out of my jurisdiction, I will then, that upon
knowledge had of the certainty where he is, ye shall either
write your letters to the Ordinary there, and to him inti-
mate the very fact and merit of the same matter, (as far as
ye do know in it,) and to desire him in my name to examine
the said Davison herein, and to transmit unto you the copies
of the same examination for your information and instruc-
tion in that behalf; or else shall advertise and advise the
said Fraunces Hastynges, and his pretended wife, to be con-
tented that the matter may be examined where the said Da-
vison doth dwell. And in this behalf I require you to use
such diligence and industry as shall beseem you to use, as
well for the due trial and truth in the premises, as for your
certificate unto me in the same. From Otforde the xiiith
day of the month of January.

To Master Butler, my Commissary
at Calice.

XCII. To THE Rectob of Petwouth.

Harl.MSS. In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. So it
6148. is^ as I am informed, that one John Bower P, now farmer of
your parsonage of Petewourth, doth therein enjoy a lease of
yours, which by reason when it shall happen to be expired,
the same much doubteth, lest that at the end and term of
the same he be clearly avoided thereof, by some other suit,
to his no little both damage and hinderance, being now so

P [In the Valor EcclesiasticuSy 1535, John Bowyar is stated to be Se-
neschal of the rectory lands of Petworth, and Thomas Maundvyld to be
Rector.]

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16840 LETTERS. 91

furnished and settled therein : I require you at this my in-
stance, ye will not alonely renew to him his said lease from
time to time, but also to suffer to continue therein all such
covenants as hath been hitherto observed between you.
And in thus doing I will show unto you Uke pleasure, when
you shall reasonably require the same. From Lameth the
viiith day of February.

XCIII. To.

I commend me unto you. And where it is so, that through Harl. MSS.
a controversy, lately begun between you and divers of your '^'
parochinars, for certain tithe which you now challenge of
them by the course of the law, and so thereby constrained,
they have sued unto me for a more quiet end in that behalf:
my pleasure is therefore that you stay your said suit in at-
tempting the law any further against them, until such time
that I myself being in those parts, may hear the due ex-
amination hereof; which I suppose will not be prejudicial
either to you or them, but rather most quiet for all parties
at length. From Lameheth, the viiL day of February.

XCIV. To THE Prioress of Stanfeld^J.

Sister Prioress, I do right heartily commend me unto Harl. MSS.
you. Where it is so that the Vicar of Quadryng is content- ^J^* ^°'*
ed, for the love and favour he beareth unto this bearer,
Master Nicholas Robertes, my old acquaintance, to resign
unto the same his vicarage, if so that he might obtain your
good will thereunto : these shall be therefore heartily to de-
rire and require you, that he may herein obtain your conve-
nient favour, and that the rather at this instance and re-
quest. And if there be any like pleasure that I may do for

I [Stanfeld in Lincolnshire, a Benedictine nunnery. The church of
Quadring in the same county was appropriated to it in the reign of
Richardll. Tanner, Not. Manast,]

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92 LETTERS. [1634.

you, I will be always ready to accomplish your requests ac*
cordingly. The xiiii. day of February.

XCV. To THB Paeson of Chevenikg ^

Hari. MSS. I commend me unto you. And where it is so that one
^^' ^' Asleyne Durmeryght, wife unto John Durmeryght, of your
parish of Chevenyng, hath complained to me of the unjust
and uncharitable demeanor of her said husband, for his un-
reasonable and oft beating and cruel threatening of her, as
in that behalf somewhat I perceive like to be true, by rea-
son both parties hath been examined with me: I will there-
fore that you from henceforward see that there be a re-
formation had between them : and that when any such
breaches hereafter shall happen in this behalf, according to
your both duty and discretion, ye set a charitable end be-
tween them. And if he or she do refuse to apply unto your
such directions, as you shall think convenient at any time, ye
then do advertise me thereof accordingly. From Croydon,
&c.

To the Parson of Chevenyng.

XCVI. To THE Bishop of Rochester s.

Harl. MSS. My Lord, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto you :

43 b. ^ ^°^ ^ likewise desire the same, that whereas one Master

Devenyshe S Master of Art and my kinsman, is very desirous

(for his better information and knowledge in divinity) to con-

' [R. Astall. See Letter lviii.]

* tXhis Letter seems to have bieen written to John Fisher, Bishop of
Rochester, and Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, early in
1534, before his imprisonment for refusing to take the oath of succes-
sion. He had been Confessor to Margaret, mother of Hen. VII. and is
supposed to haye suggested to her tne foundation of St. John's and
Christ's Colleges.]

' [Perhaps William Devenish, aflerwards Prebendary of Canterbury,
who was deprived under Queen Mary for being married.]

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1534.] LETTERS. 93

tinue his study and learning at the University, to be so good
lord unto him at this mine instance and request, that the
same may obtain your convenient favour to be admitted one
of the fellows of St. Johns's College in Cambridge, amonges
whom as I am advertised there is now a room void and at
your disposition; whereunto if your lordship do admit
him, I doubt nothing at all but that you shall like the
man every day better than other, for verily I think he
lacketh not of those qualities which should become any
honest man to have, over and besides the gift of nature
wherewith God hath above the common rate endued him,
as I trust the Master of the College, this bearer, can more
expressly ascertain your said lordship in that behalf. And
if there be any like pleasure that I may show unto you
therefore, I will be at all times ready to accomplish the same
to my power. As knoweth our Lord, who keep your good
lordship in health. From, &c.

To my Lord of Rochester.

XCVIL To THE Warden" of All Souls College,
Oxford.

Master Warden, in my right hearty wise I commend me Harl. MSS.
unto you. And where at your last being with me at Lame-^j^*^ ^
heth I desired your good will in a farm of yours, the
name whereof at that time I could not readily call unto my
remembrance : so it is, as I am advertised, that the same is
named Les Wydon in Northamptonshire *, which forasmuch
as the years and term thereof shall be shortly expired : I
heartily require you, that at this mine instance and request,
ye will, as eflTectually as you may, move the rest of your
company to accomplish this my said suit, so that by yours
and their agreement I may obtain the next lease that shall

" [Roger Stokelev ; elected the 10th of March 1533, resigned in 1536.
Wood, Hist, of Oj^ard,]
*■ [Loys Wcedon, near Towcester.]

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94 LETTERS. [1634-

be granted in that behalf for a special friend of mine, paying
in every condition as much as any other reasonably will give
for the same, for the which I will at all times be ready to
show both to you and them like pleasure accordingly, &c.
To the Warden of All Souls College
in Oxford.

XCVIII. To THE Inhabitants of Hadleigh.

Harl. MSS. In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And

6148. fol. sQ|.|.y I am iQ iiear there is lack of charity, and also be

Christ. Re.^^^y g^udges amongs you, you all being Christian men

membran- which should be of such charity and unity as if ye were but

Nov. 1820. one body. And to the intent ye should be so, and that ye

should the rather be induced to concord, and specially

against this good time y, I have desired this bearer. Master

Hughe Vaghan, to take the pain to come unto you now with

these my letters, and to exhort you all in my name and on

my behalf, and most specially in the name of our Lord, that

you and every of you put away such grudges ^ as ye have

one against another, and become lovers together as children

of God ought to do : (for whosoever is out of charity, do

what he will, it is not acceptable in the sight of God : and

how can he love God that hateth his Christian brother, which

is the creature of God :) so to continue in charity here in

this world together as the sons of one Father, our Lord in

heaven, that ye may be beloved of him after in heaven.

And where Sir Thomas Ros% your Curate^ hath been

y [Viz. the approaching Easter.]

' fPartv spirit seems to have run very high at Hadleigh. Foxe
speaks of two brothers, Walter and John Clarke, sore enemies to the
truth, who procured the arrest of their Curate Ros. On the other side,
Ros's friencls were so strong, that it was said an hundred men were not
able to fetch him out of the town.]

* [See Letter cclxxxviii, where he is recommended bv Cranmer for
an Irish Archbishopric. His varied fortunes are related by Foxe, vol.
iii. p. 932. and Strvpe, Cranmery p. 275. It is unnecessary to insert
here more than a few particulars relating to his connexion with Had-
leigh. He was arrested there early in 1533, on a charge of being privy
to the burning of the Rood of Dover Court. About Midsummer, he

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1684.] LETTERS. 95

before me for these words, which as it is surmised he
spake in the pulpit there, here following : " A man'^s goods
" spent for his soul after his death prevaileth him not i"*^
forasmuch as I am credibly informed that no small number
of you which were present at that sermon when these words
were spoken, (as it is pretended,) doth affirm that he said
not so, but these : " That a man's goods, given out of
^^ charity, and so the child of damnation, spent after his
*^ death shall not prevail his soul :^ and forasmuch as I un-
derstand that your said Curate, as soon as he heard that
such matters was sunnised against him by such as have not
been his friends and favourers heretofore, as I am also cre-
dibly informed, went into the pulpit and declared, that he
neither said, neither meant those words but of such as died
out of charity and was buried in hell, as the rich glutton was
in the Gospel, of which he treated when those words were
spoken, and also to the intent that the more charity should
continue among you :

I have sent the said Curate to you again, desiring you
which have not been his friends heretofore to leave your
grudges, and you all to accept him favourably, the rather
for this my writing. Not intending hereby, but if you or
any of you shall have just cause against him hereafter, you
shall and may prosecute the same according to justice; for
it is not mine intent in any wise hereby to let justice, if it be
justly prosecuted without great and probable suspicion of
malice and calumnious accusation. And if any of you shall
have at any time hereafter any just cause to sue afore me,

was set at libert;^ b^ Cranmer*s means ; '* but yet so, that he was bound
*' not to come withm twenty miles of HadleiKh. Af^er this he came to
** London, and there preached the Gospel half a year, till Hadleigh men
<< hearing thereof, laboured to have him to Hadleigh again, and indeed
" by means of Sir John Rainford, Knight, obtained at the Archbishop's
" house to have him thither. Uowbeit, by means one was placed in
'' the Cure at Hadleigh, he could not enjoy his office again there, but
** went to Stratford three miles olF, and there continued preaching the
" word three years." Foxe. It appears however from this Letter, that
he did return to Hadleigh, and that fresh complaints were brought
against him. Perhaps he m consequence of these remained there but a
snort time, and was thence supposed by Foxe not to have been rein-
stated at all.]

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96 LETTERS. [1534.

ye shall be sure of such favour as I may lawfully show unto
you. At Lameth, the xx^'. day of March.
To my wellbeloved the Inhabitants
of Hadleghe.

XCIX. To THE Archbishop of York*>.

Harl. MSS. My Lord, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto
6148. fol. y^y^ ^j^j where at the ^ last day of the late Convocation
kept at PauPs in London, many questions and doubts were
moved of the reading and declaration of the General Sentence
commonly used at four terms of the year ; and after much
communication and debatements of great arguments and rea-
sons therein made and had, it was at the last^ by the coun-
sels of our whole house, condescended and agreed, that the
reading of the same General Sentence should be for a time
suspended and stayed, until some other direction may be
therein further taken and provided ; (which, as I suppose,
cannot be conveniently done before the next assembly of
bishops and prelates of my province the next Convocation ;)
and that I should by my letters speedily advertise your
lordship of the premises, to the intent it may please you to
cause general monitions to be made within your province,
that the said General Sentence be no more read or declared
until some other direction may be further taken therein : I
therefore pray you, my lord, that, forasmuch as it shall be
meet and convenient that one conformity be used in your
province and mine, specially touching the said General Sen-
tence, that the declaration and reading of the same may be
respited, until some other direction may be hereafter further

b [Edward Lee.]

- [Viz. the 31st of March 1534. See Strype, MemoriaUy vol. i. p. 164;
Wiltins, Concilia^ vol. iii. p. 771; Wake, State of the Churchy p. 479.
" The General Sentence was a solemn curse denounced by the curates
'' to their parishes once a quarter : wherein a great number of persons
^ were wont to be accursed ; and a larce share of these execrations
*' were framed to fall upon those that infringed the privileges and im-
" mmiities of holy Church." Strype, ibid. The Form used on these oc-
casions may be seen at length in his Appendix, No. 46.]

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1534.] LETTERS. 97

taken in that behalf. And how ye shall be minded therein,
I pray you that I may be ascertained by your letters as
soon as you may. [1534.]

C. To

.... I therefore will you to cause general monitions to "**'"'• ^*^S.
be made within the diocese of Sarura, that the said General jub.
Sentence may be no more read or declared, until some other
direction may be further taken as aforesaid ; and that ye as-
certain me as soon as ye may conveniently, with speed, of
your doings in the premises. From Croydon, the iv. day of
April. [1534.]

CI. To A Bishop.

The copy cj an Inhibition sent by my Lord of Canterbury Harl. MSS.

unto other for seditious preaching begun in Easter f Ji^ ^o,

week c concerning the King's Grace'^s marriage, in Anno

Regni xxro. H. VIII. [1534.] ^

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you : let-
ting you wit| that forasmuch as it hath come to my know-

<* [Strype supposes that this Letter was addressed to the Bishop of
Sarum ; but in April 1534, which from the reference to the resolution
respecting the General Sentence, is clearly its date, there was no bishop
of that see: Cardinal Caropegio having been recently deprived by Act
of Parliaraenty and his successor, Nicholas Shaxton, not being yet
elected. It must therefore have been written to some one who admi-
nistered the diocese during the vacancy. The he^nning of it may he
supplied from the preceding Letter : for it was obviously the same, and
was therefore not copied separately by the secretary.!

« [The Easter day of 25 Hen. VIIL was the 5th of April, 1534.]
^ [According to Strype there was a similar inhibition in the preceding
year: *^it being thought convenient that preaching at this juncture
** should be restrained, because now the matter of sermons chiefly con-
** sisted in tossing about the King's marriage with the Lady Anne, and
*' condemning so pubhcly and boldly his doings against Queen Katha-
" rine ; the priests being set on work by her friends and faction."
Cranmer, p. 21. See also Memorials^ vol. i. p. 167.]

VOL. I. H

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98 LETTERS. [1634.

ledge, that divers persons at this present time, under the
pretence of preaching to the people the word of Grod, which
is the word of charity, unity, and concord, do minister unto
their audience matter of contention, slander, debate, and
murmur, as well concerning the true catholic doctrine of
Christ's Church, as also other public matters, nothing meet
ne convenient for their audience; and I therefore, calling unto
me my right wellbeloved brothers in God, the Bishops of
London e, Winchestre *^, and Lyncoln ', have, for speedy re-
medy hereof, devised and agreed with my said brothers, that
an inhibition should be incontinently sent forth from every
one of us in our diocese, to forbid all such as have already
licence to preach by any letter heretofore granted unto them,
to preach from henceforth by virtue and authority of tiny
such letters, but that they shall resort to every of us in our
diocese to obtain new letters and licence concerning the
same : And also all Curates authorized by the law to preach
in their own parish churches, shall, if they be disposed [to
preach, first resort unto us in like manner ; so as at such time
as they shall repair to us or our officers for any such licence,
injunction shall be made unto them to have regard and re-
spect in their preaching to the Constitution Provincial, in the
title there De Hcereticis^ in the first chapter, that is to say,
that they shall temper their matter, secundum subjectum
auditorum ; and in no wise to touch or intermeddle them-
selves to preach or teach any such thing that might slander
or bring in doubt and opinion the catholic and received doc-
trine of Chrisfs Church, or speak of such matters as touch
the Prince, his laws, or succession, considering that there-
upon can ensue no edification in the people, but rather oc-
casion of talking and rumour to their great hurt and damage,
and the danger and perils of their bodies and souls : Where-
fore, in consideration of the premises, I require you and
pray you to follow the said order as well [in] sending forth
speedy monition or inhibition, as also in giving instruc-
tion of such your Curates as intend to preach, and other
such as ye shall afterward admit by yourself or by your
« [John Stokesley.] *» [Stephen Gardyner.] * [John Longland.]

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1584.] LETTERS. 99

trusty officers, as is afore written, having such respect to the
execution hereof, as will satisfy the duty of your office in the
sight of God and man K Whereunto ye will, I doubt not,
have such regard at all time as becometh you. Thus,
ray lord, most heartily fare you well. At my manor of
Lameth.

CII. To THE Prioress of Stanfeld.

Sister Prioress, in my right hearty wise I commend me Harl. MSS.
unto you, and likewise to the other my sisters of your con- '^* ^ *
vent. And where, at my request and instance to you made
in my other letters * in the favour of my friend Mr. N. R.
for his preferment to the vicarage of Quadryng, ye, accord-
ing to the effect and tenor thereof, have accomplished the
same, as now in that behalf I am advertised by your letters
dated the first day of April ; I give unto you most hearty
and condign thanks therefore, trusting the said Mr. Roberts,
according to my letters to him addressed for the same, will
in such manner be conformable and agreeable to all ordi-
nances and customs as hath been heretofore uaed by his
predecessors for the quietness of you and your house, that
ye shall have cause to be glad to have preferred him for my
sake. The which, if I perceive to happen in him the con-
trary, surely he shall both lose my favour and be in danger
of my displeasure therefore. And you notwithstanding to be
sure of me to requite and recompense this your gratuity
and gentle behaviour accordingly. From Lamehe.

To the Prioress of Stanfeld.

CIII. To N. Roberts.

I commend me unto you. And where at my request Harl. MSs.

and instance the Prioress and Convent of Stanfeld hath ^^^- ^°'-

^ [An order for the regulation of preaching was issued in June,
1534. See Appendix.]
* [See Letter xciv.]

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100 LETTERS. [1534.

given to you the presentation of Quadryng, as according to
their letters to me addressed in that behalf I am credibly
informed, wherein they have desired me also to exhort you
to be content with the same, observing such laudable cus-
toms as the late incumbent and other his predecessors hath
done, without further trouble, vexation, or unquietness to
them or their house; these shall be therefore likewise to
admonish you herein, (as ye tender my favour and will
avoid my displeasure,) that according to this their reason-
able request you do so endeavour yourself from time to
time to accomplish the same, that they have not just cause
to repent hereafter of this their benevolence declared unto
you, which to happen would be unto me great displeasure,
but much more your hinderance in so doing, &c.

CIV. To THE Prioress of Sheppey.

Harl. MSB. Sister Prioress, I greet you well. And forasmuch as I
2 '^] * understand by my servant Thomas Abberforde, that the
farm of your parsonage of Gyllynhame is shortly like to
be void, of which (as he reporteth) you aforetime promised
him the next avoidance ; I require you, that now, the rather
of this mine instance, ye will let him have the preferment
thereunto, he finding you sufficient sureties for the payment
thereof. And what you intend to do in this behalf I require
you to advertise me by my secretary, whom I send unto you
for that intent. And if you will accomplish mine request
herein, I will at all time be as good unto you in other mat-
ters, wherein you shall have to do with me.

CV. To THE Prioress of Sheppey.

Harl.MSS. Sister Prioress, I commend me unto you. Where hereto-
19^! ° ^^^^ ' wrote unto you my letters in the favour of my ser-
vant T. Abberforde, for the lease of your farm at Gyllyng-
ham, whereof ye have aforetime (as I am credibly informed)

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1534.] LETTERS, 101

made unto him a promise, as honest witness examined by
mine officers in that matter have affirmed ; I pray you that
ye will now at his coming to you, not alonely finish and ac-
complish your said former promise, but also for my sake to
show him such other favour therein, as ye may show law-
fully; whereby ye shall minister unto me right good cause
and occasion to tender as much your desire another time,
when ye shall any thing reasonably desire of me. And how
ye shall be minded herein, I pray you that I may be ascer-
tained by your letters at the return of my siud servant. And
where my said servant hath further informed me, that ye, at
his last being with you to know your mind to my former
letters, answered him that ye would right gladly satisfy my
request herein, if I would affirm and say that ye may thus
do justly without any dishonesty ; I assure you I do not
see how ye may better save and conserve your honesty in
this matter, than to accomplish your promise in the same
made, whereof is good record and testimony. And if you
will otherwise do, ye should by so doing cumber your
conscience and dishonest yourself much. And albeit I do

trust verily »"

To the Prioress of Sheppey.

CVI. To Ceumwell.
Right Worshipful Master Crumwell, after most hearty Cott.
commendations, &c. I doubt not but you do right well re- cieop, E.
member, that my Lord of Rochester and Master More"V'-/o)-*^*-
were contented to be sworn to the Act of the King's succes- ,, , .. '
siono, but not to the preamble of the same. What was the 283. fol.

Strype,

cause of their refusal thereof I am uncertain, and they
would by no means express the same. Nevertheless it must Cranm.
needs be, either the diminution of the authority of the^P*^®'*''

" [Nothing has been lost here, the copy never having been finished.] ^^^^^
" [See an account of the appearance of Bishop Fisher and Sir Thomas "*"^^'

More before the Commissioners at Lambeth on the 13th of April 1634,*"^"

in Strype, Crawner, p. 26; or Burnet, Ref, vol. i. p. 315.]

^ [Stat. 23 Hen. VIII. c. 22. For the proceedings under it see Bur*

net ; who gives the preamble and the oath at length, vol. i. p. 294.]

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102 LETTERS. [1534.

Bishop of Rome^ or else the reprobation of the King^s first
pretensed matrimony. But if they do obstinately persist in
their opinions of the preamble, yet meseemeth it should not
be refused, if they will be sworn to the very Act of succes-
sion: so that they will be sworn to maintain the same
against all powers and potentates. For hereby shall be a
great occasion to satisfy the Princess Dowager and the Lady
Mary, which do think they should damn their souls, if they
should abandon and relinquish their estates. And not only
it should stop the mouths of them, but also of the Emperor,
and other their friends, if they give as much credence to my
Lord of Rochester and Master More, speaking and doing
against them, as they hitherto have done and thought that
all other should have done, when they spake and did with
them. And perad venture it should be a good quietation
to many other within this realm, if such men should say, that
the succession, comprised within the said Act, is good and
according to God^s laws. For then I think there is not one
within this realm, that would once reclaim against it. And
whereas divers persons, either of a wilfulness will not, or of
an indurate and invertible conscience cannot alter from their
opinions of the King's first pretensed marriage, (wherein they
have once said their minds, and percase have a persuasion in
their heads, that if they should now vary therefrom, their
fame and estimation were distained for ever,) or else of the
authority of the Bishop of Rome : yet if all the realm with
one accord would apprehend the said succession, in my
judgment it is a thing to be amplected and embraced.
Which thing, although I trust surely in God that it shall
be brought to pass, yet hereunto might not a little avail the
consent and oaths of these two persons, the Bishop of Ro-
chester and Master More, with their adherents, or rather
confederates. And if the King'*s pleasure so were, their
said oaths might be suppressed, but when and where his
Highness might take some commodity by the publishing of
the same. Thus our Lord have you ever in his conserva-
tion. From my manor at Croydon, the xvii. day of April.

Your own assured ever,

Thomas Cantuar.

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1684.] LE1?TERS. 108

CVII. To CaUMWELL.

In my most hearty wise I commend me unto you. And Chapter
so likewise desire you to be good master unto this bearer, Westmin-
Robert Markeham, whom, for the good qualities I know io'*?ii^^™'
him, I heartily desire you in all his such suits and causes respond.
as the same hath now before you, to show unto him your®!JJJ^ ^^^
lawful favour, and that the rather at this mine instance.
And what pleasure I may show unto you for the same, ye
shall be sure thereof accordingly. Thus our I^ord preserve
you. From Croydon, the xxvi" day of April.

Your own assured,
Thomas Cantuar.
To my especial and singular good friend,
Mr. CnimweD.

CVIII. To Crumwell.

Right Worshipful Mr. Crumwell, in my right hearty Chapter
wise I commend me unto you. Likewise praying you to^^JJJ^j^j^
have in your good remembrance such suit as I heretofore, ster; Cmm-
as well by mouth as writing, made unto you for my kins-yeapo'nd-
man Henry Hatfilde, surveyor of my lands. So it is, tl^*t«?|^»^
by agreement lately taken between him and the preben-
dar[ies] of Suthwall, he shall exchange certain lands of his,
for certain lands in mortmain belonging to the said pre-
bendaries. And amongs other things of the stud agreement
it is condescended, that the same my kinsman shall procure
the said lands, which the said prebendaries shall have of
him, to be mortmained by a certain day, for the same lands
which he shall have of the said prebendaries out of mort-
main ; wherefore I heartily pray you, that my said kins-
man may have your favourable expedition as soon as it may
be : for surely, unless the same lands which the said pre-
bendaries shall have of my said kinsman may be mortmain-
ed afore the day shall be expired, the said agreement shall
stand void, and much inquietness shall continue in these par-

H 4

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104 LETTERS. [1534.

ties, as have continued already there this hundred years.
Whereof hath grown great occasion of manslaughter divers
times, as well to my said kinsman^s grandfather of his
father^s side, as to his grandfather of his mother's side, and
to divers other. And it is to be feared, unless this agree-
ment take effect now, that the same variance shall continue
still, which God forbid. Wherefore I pray you to be his
good master for the expedition of his suit, as my special
trust is in you.

Mr. Roodd hath also been with me at Croidon, and
there hath subscribed the book? of the King's Grace's suc-
cession, and also the conclusion ^^ quod Roman us Episcopus
^^ non habet majorem authoritatem a Deo sibi collatam in hoc
" regno Angliae quam quivis alius extemus episcopus i^ and
hath promised me, that he will at all times hereafter so con-
form himself as shall be always to the King's Grace's conten-
tation, and that he will at no time hereafter preach in any
doubtful case, but that he will first counsel with me therein.
Wherefore, if it may stand with the King's Grace's plea-
sure, I would that he might have licence again to preach ;
wherein I pray you to know the King's Grace's pleasure.
From Croydon the 28th day of April <i.

Your assured ever,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my

very loving friend Master Crum-

well, of the King's Grace's most

honourable Council.

P [See Strype, Cranmer, p. 26.]

*l [The mention of subscribing the book of the King's succession,
proves that this Letter could not have been written earlier than 1534.
Yet Crumwell is not addressed as Secretary, though he was appointed
to that office before the 12th of April of this year. See Note to State
PaperSj vol. i. p. 425. Thus in this case the evidence for the date de-
rived from the address clearly fails, and it has therefore been disregard-
ed in some other letters, where there are reasons, though not so conclu-
sive as in the present instance, for suspecting it.]

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1584.] LETTERS. 105

CIX. To

In my most hearty wise I commeud me unto you. And Hart. MSS.
forasmuch as I [am] credibly informed by this bearer John^'^' ^^*
Hutton that the same hath a certain suit unto you; to
whom for many considerations as my friend, I owe as special
favour as to any man else of his like state and degree ; I
heartily require you therefore, that he may for my sake ob-
tain your lawful favour in such his said suits and requests,
as in that behalf at this time shall be by him declared unto
you ; for the which, when it shall lie in me, I will likewise
be ready to requite and recompense the same unto you ac-
cordingly.

ex. To

In my hearty wise I commend me unto you. And so Harl. MSS.
likewise desire you to be good to this bearer A. B. my friend, ^'; ' *
in all those his suits and requests as he hath now to do with
you. He is the man whom for many considerations I do
much favour, and would the best that lieth in me his pre-
ferment. Wherefore I heartily require you, at this mine
instance the rather, to tender his said pursuits, and show
unto him such your lawful favour in this behalf as you
would use towards me, in case I myself had the same now
to practise with you.

CXI. To

I commend me unto you. And where this bearer Richard Harl. MSS.
S. hath compldned unto me, how that ye withhold from ^'^* ^®''
him an Enchiridion ^ in English, supposing the same to be of

' [Probably Tyodole's translation of the Enchiridion Militii Chris-
tiant of Erasmus, a book very generally popular at that time, but de-
nounced as dangerous by the enemies of the reformation. See Jortin,
Life of Erasmus; Ames, Typogr, Antiq. Dibdin, vol. ii. p. 335.]

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106 LETTERS. [1584.

no good authority or privilege, I will^ that forasmuch as the
King and his Council doth indifferently permit the said
book to be read of all and singular his subjects, ye, without
any farther let or perturbation to the said Richard, do
either deliver unto him his said book, or else that ye repair
unto me immediately after the sight hereof, to declare unto
me some cause why you should thus dettun from him the
said Enchiridion, and so manifestly deny the authority of
the same.

For inhibiting of Enchiridion.

CXII. To THE ViCAB OF CUARING.

HarLMSS. I commfend me unto you, &c. And where I am adver-
6148. fol. ^jg^ jjy jjjjg bearer W. S. that ye have a suit against him
in my Commissary^s Court at Canterbury for a matter of
defamation, the circumstances whereof he hath declared
unto me ; so it is that I perceive, as well by his behaviour
as by his sorrowful words, that he is right repentant in mis-
using any such slanderous reports towards you, and so hath
sued unto me for to instance you in like wise not to pursue
any farther herein, to his no little damage and undoing, but
charitably to remit his offence, and that the rather at thb
my request, I therefore advise you and also require you to
be contented herewith, considering he is so willing to sub-
mit himself to you accordingly. Whereunto I do exhort
you, for divers considerations, to cease all rigorous suit in
the law, specially in this cumbrous time, and to receive him
friendly unto you, forgiving all displeasure and grudges hi-
therto past; as according to the rule of charity ye be
bound one to another. Which end no doubt shall both
please greatly Almighty God, and also be very meritorious
to you in accomplishing the same.
To the Vicar of Charyng.

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1584.] LETTERS. 107

CXIII. To De. CocksS his Chanc£llor.

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. AndHarLMSS.
whereas the bearer hereof hath been suspended, and as he^''*?* ^^^'
thinkethy further process made against him for a suit of cer- Christ.
tain tithe that you demand of him before my Commissary at^^*^-
Canterbury; and, as he reporteth unto me, hath been al- Nor. i8ao.
ways conformable to agree with your deputies and farmer
at Egerton, for such his duties as hath been customably re-
quired of him and other afore time, until now of late, for
certain things as me seemeth of small value, hath been sued
at the law, whereby so constnuned by rigour of the same, he
sueth unto me for a more quiet and charitable end in this
behalf: I therefore advise you and thereunto exhort you,
considering such towardness in him, that, specially in this
cumbrous world, ye do entreat and handle as well him as
other your parishioners and neighbours after some other
more charitable means, avoiding as much as in you is the
obloquy of such enormities, wherewith the whole clergy
is daily reproached and slandered. And rather that some
charitable end should now seem to come of you, than he
thus to be enforced to seek for the same.

To Doctor Cokes^ my Chancellor.

CXIV. To

I commend me unto [you]. And where at the late Parlia- Hart. mss.
ment there was a bill promoted into the Parliament House ^'^- ^**
concerning certain exactions of tithes within Rumney marsh^
and other certain grounds, as I now remember, by cause that,

' [Dr. Jolin Cocks, though he was Cranmer*s Auditor of the Audience,
and Vicar General in spirituals, yet, according to Strype, was a secret fa-
vourer of the papists, and did not exert himself, when employed to in-
^uire into the conspiracy against the Archbishop in 1543. See Strype,
'rflwin. pp. 19. 119.J

" [A bill concerning tithes in Romney Marsh, having been brought
up from the Commons, was read the first time in the House of Lords
the 24th of March, 1534, and then appears to have been dropped. Lordi
JoumaU.]

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108 LETTERS. [1534.

as in the said bill was pretended, the inhabitants there do
pay not only tithes for all things that do renew there,
but also over and besides the same do pay iii^. for every
acre, contrary to all law, reason, and conscience ; which said
bill I restrained at that [time], promising to see a reforma-
tion in the same ; I will therefore, inasmuch as ye partly
know the very circumstances hereof, that accordingly ye do
farther so ensearch the verity herein, that thereby, against such
time as I shall have the examination thereof, ye may make
me ready and ripe in that behalf; and that herein you do
your endeavour with all speed and celerity. First day of
May. [1534.]

CXV. To A Preacher at Paul'^s Cross.

Harl. MSS. I commend me unto you. Signifying to the same, that I
'^jj' ° • do not a little marvel why you should leave a note with
John Blag my grocer in writing, to preach at PauFs Cross
on the iii^c Sunday after Trinity Sunday ; when, contrary
to the same, at your own request to me made, you desired
that ye might be there the first Sunday after Trinity Sun-
day, whereunto ye were accordingly appointed and named.
And therefore I will, that ye in any condition fail not to be
at the Cross on the said first Sunday, whatsoever other ap-
pointment or determination ye have made with yourself to
the contrary, according to such expectation, trust, and con-
fidence as I have in you for the accomplishment of the
same. And of your mind in this behalf I will that you send
me word by this bearer, to the intent I may thereby be in
full surety hereof. At Croydon, the vi. day of May.

To one that was appointed to preach
at Paul's Cross.

CXVI. To Crumwell.

Chapter Right Worshipful Master Cromwell, I desire you, at this

WestmiD- '"y i^^stance, to be good master to Sir Edwarde MowII

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1584.J LETTERS. 109

priest, bearer hereof, and favourably to tender his suit which ster; Cram-
he shall make unto you. He was chaplain to Dr. Benet'^JI^gpJnd?'^"
at the time of his decease, and continued with him in service ^»?ce- ^»-
as long as he was the King'^s ambassador in Italy. The
said chaplain hath lain sick at Pyemount, at Susa, by the
space of six months ; by reason whereof he is so far in debt,
that he is like all his life to be in danger of his creditors,
and to live in great poverty, unless some provision, by mean
of spiritual promotion or otherwise by your good industry
and counsel, be made for him, whereby he may be relieved and
in process of time able to satisfy his creditors. Wherefore,
inasmuch as the man hath incurred many adversities, partly
by sickness and chiefly by the loss of his special good
master. Dr. Benet, and is also a very honest man and
worthy of better fortune, I do heartily require you, at this
my instance, to be as good master to him as you may con-
veniently, and you shall bind me for this and other your
manifold kindness exhibit unto me, to do you such plea-
sure as shall lie in my power. Written at my house at
Croydon the seventh day of May. [1684.]

Your assured ever,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful Master Crom-
well be this letter delivered.

CXVII. To

My Lord, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto Harl. MSS.
you, &c. So it is, that I am credibly informed and certi- js^ ' ^'
fied by this bearer. Sir Thomas Donkester, Subprior of
Newesham y, that ray suflragan, late Abbot of the same
house, is departed out of this miserable world, of whose soul
Jesus have mercy ; and forasmuch as the siud late sufFra-

« rSee Letter lii.1

y [A monastery ot Premonstratensians in Lincolnshire, the first of
that order estabhshed in England. At the dissolution it maintained an
abbot and eleven canons. Tanner, Not. MonastJ]

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110 LETTERS. [1634.

gan in his life so favour[ed] this bearer, and oftentimes so
commended him unto me, that he (as I perceived) intended
to have preferred him to be his successor in that room and
office in the said house^ (as ye, I suppose, do know right
well) ; and because likewise I of mine own knowledge and
experience can record and testify of his good life, provi-
dence, and other right commendable qualities meet for an
head and ruler of that house, in whom heretofore the chief
order, administration, provision, and husbandry of the same
have only consist : I therefore right heartily pray you to
be good lord unto him for my sake, and accepting these
my letters in like stead and effect as though I had written
the same unto you for myself in such a like matter : and to
bear towards him your favour and assistance for his pre-
ferment to the said abbacy and office, as I may, for your
goodness therein, be in your danger, which I would right
thankfully requite, whensoever it shall lie in me to show to
you pleasure for yourself or for your friend ; trusting now,
at this mine attemptation, ye will do that you may for the
acceleration of the election, under such both expedition and
condition that this my friend shall obtain thereby the benefit
thereof accordingly.

And albeit I may, if I would, obtain the King^s Grace''s
favourable letters, and the Queen's Grace's also, for the fur-
therances and accomplishment of this request; yet foras-
much as I do well know that it consisteth in you to show
me this pleasure, without further suit, I therefore do make
this request only to you, praying the same to be as good
and favourable herein for this man my friend, as ye pro-
mised me to have been to my said suffragan in the other
matter. And think [not], my lord, but that I (if God
grant me life) will so thankfully remember and recompense
your favour and gratuity herein, (if it shall please you the
same to show unto me) as ye shall have good cause to re-
joice thus to have done for me : which thing, if ye intend to
satisfy my request^ must be speedily done with all celerity,
lest, by delay taken therein, ye may be stayed and restrained
from that pleasure and liberty to do for your friend^ which

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16S4.] LETTERS. Ill

you may do in case ye so will ; eftsoons praying you to
have the premises in your good remembrance, and no less
to esteem the same, than ye would in case I had so spoken
the same unto you in my own personage. From my manor
at, &c.

CXVIII. To THE Convent of Newbsham «.

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you, and Harl. MSS.
likewise to everich of you. And where it hath pleased ^'^^- ^*''-
Almighty God to call your father and Abbot, which was
my suflVagan, to his mercy, by whose decease ye be now
destitute of a governor and ruler : I therefore pray you, and
every one of you, to bear your favours and good minds to
my friend of old acquaintance Sir Thomas Donkester, your
brother and Prior, that he, by your favourable means and
assistance, may be preferred to that vacant room for my sake
afore any other ; which thing, if you can be contested to do
at this mine instance, ye shall be well assured to have me to
be hereafter not alonely a right special friend to you and
your house, to the most of my power, at such time as I may
show any gratuity and pleasure again for his sake, but also
shall have such succour and comfort of him at all times
hereafter, as ye shall have cause to be glad to have preferred
him for my sake. Thus fare you well. From my manor at
Lameheth, the xviii. day of May.

To the Convent.

CXIX. To

*> My Lord^ in my most hearty wise I commend me unto Harl. MSS.
your good lordship. And whereas I am credibly inform- ^*^- ^'°'*

* rSee Letter cxvii.]

■ [Strype, in bis manuscript copy of this Letter (Lansd. MSS. 1045.)
supposes It to have been addressecl to Cruniwell. But tbe questions re-
specting tbe oatb of succession prove its date to be 1534, when Crum-
well bad attained no higher rank than that of Secretary of State. It
is not unlikely that it was written to the Lord Chancellor Audeley, who
was one of the Commissioners appointed to tender the oath. See Strype,
Cranmer, p. 26.]

b [The former part of this Letter is printed in the Christian Re-
membrancer for Nov. 1820.]

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lU LETTERS. [1634.

ed, that at your commandment, one Sir Thomas Mownte-
forde c, priest, is committed to the Fleet for certain words
(as is reported) by him spoken against me, which now
he utterly refuseth, and thereto offereth himself to prove
the contrary in that behalf by divers that were there pre-
sent when the said words should have been spoken of me :
I most heartily desire your lordship, at this mine instance
and request, ye will discharge him for [the] time of this
his trouble and vexation : for surely of all sorts of men
I am daily informed that priests report the worst of me,
and therefore so to be reported of a priest it should very
little grieve me, although he had confessed it^ much less
now would I then this his trouble for the same, he himself
reporting the contrary. Wherefore eftsoons I require you
to be good lord unto him herein, and that the rather at
this mine instance.

Furthermore touching my commission to take oaths of
the King'^s subjects for his Highness' succession <*, I am by
your last letters well instructed, saving that I know not
how I shall order them that cannot subscribe by writing :
hitherto I have caused one of my secretaries to 8ubscr[ib]e
for such persons, and made them to write their shepe mark,

or some other mark, as they can scribble. Now would

I know, whether I shall, instead of subscription, take their
seals.

Also where you have sent forth commissions to justices
of peace to take the same oath, I pray you send me word,
whether you have given them commission to take oaths
as well of priests as of other. And if so, then I trust my
labours be abbreviate, for in short time the oaths (hereby)
shall be take[n] through all England ; which seemeth to me
very expedient so to be ; trusting this expedition shall dis-
charge your lordship, me, and other of much travail in this

c [Strvpe seems to have believed, that Sir Thomas Mounteforde was
the north country priest committed to the Fleet by the Lord Cnimwell,
of whose insolence and ignorance such an admirable story is told by
Morice. But the cases appear to be different, and, as has been ob-
served in note (a) p. Ill, Crumwell was not yet entitled to be called
" the Lord C rum well." See Strype, Cranmer, p. 437.]

^ [See Letter cvi. Strype, Cranmer, p. 96.]

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1684.] LETTERS. 113

behalf: but yet I would gladly know who shall take the
oaths at the religious of Syon c, which is specially to be ob-
served, and also the Charter Houses, and Observants, and
other reli^ous exempt. I beseech your good lordship that
I may have answers herein by writing, with all celerity.

CXX. To Archdeacon Thirlby^.

Master Archdeacon, I commend me unto you : signifying Harl. MS$.
to you, that I have received your letters with a billets from ^'^S- foh
the King's Highness in them inclosed, whereby amonges ^^^
other things I perceive your ambitious mind in seeking your Remem-
own glory and advancement of your name, and that unjustly not. 1820.

^ [The Nuns and Friars of Sion, the Carthusian Monks, and the Ob-
servants, were considered to be determined opposers of the King's pro-
ceedings ; and some of them had professed to believe in the revelations
of the Holy Maid of Kent. See Letters lxxxii. cxlv; Burnet, vol. i.
pp. 306.366. 704 ; Strype, Memoriali, vol. i. p. 194. &c. ; Stale Papers,
vol. i. p. 422. The last named anthority is a long and interesting
letter from Bedyil to Crumwell, dated the 28th of August 1534; in
which he laments << the foolishness and obstinacy of divers religious
** men, so addict to the Bishop of Rome and his usurped power, that
** thev contemn all counsel, and likewise the jeopardy of their bodies
** and souls, and the suppression of their houses.'^ N ine of the Friars
of Sion, he says, as soon as the preacher began to declare the King's
title of Supreme Head, <^ departea from the sermon, contrary to tlie rule
'' of their religion, to the great slander of all the audience. . . . And it is
^ doubted that some of them will attempt to escape out of their
^ cloister; and if they so did, so men should never hear tidings of them,
'* neither know where they became, it were no great loss.'' He states
however, ^' that the Confessor there, and some other of tlie wisest of his
" brethren, the Abbess and all her religious sisters, like good, wise, and
'' faithful ladies to our Sovereign Lord, be well contented with the
<< King's Grace's said title ;" and that there was good likelihood that
tlie Carthusians of London ** would be brought to good conformity ac-
" cording to their duty." But these hopes, at least in part, were dis-
appointed. See Strype, Memorials, vol. i. pp. 195. 277.

* [Thirlby succeeded Hawkyns in the Archdeaconry of Ely, 1534. Le
Neve, JVtf/i.]

t [This may perhaps have been the " order for preaching and bid-
" ding of the beads in all sermons," issued, according to Strype, in June
1534. See Appendix. Mr. Todd applies the expression to the Articles
of 1536, and supposes the Letter to have been written in that year.
But the copy-book from which it is taken seems to contain none of so
late a date; and in that case also, Shaxton, who was consecrated the
11th of April 1535, would probablv have been styled " my lord of
" Sarum."

VOL. I. 1

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114 LETTERS. [1584.

without your deserts, in that you deare to have me confess
by writing your diligence, laying to my charge, that hereto-
fore I have been a testimony of your negligence. If you
have hitherto been accounted negligent, there is nothing as
meseemeth as yet commenced and done on your behalf,
whereby you do not declare yourself in deed the same man
that I spake in word. Although ye have changed the kind of
negligence, from a slow negligence to a rash negligence. For
so negligently you have run of heed in this matter, that you
have advertised me never a word of those things which I
desire to know the King^s pleasure in.

For there be three places specially noted in the said bill,
one in the margin of the first leaf, another in the third,
where be divers words to be inserted within the process,
of the which I would you should know his gracious pleasure,
whether he would allow those words there or no. The third
place is on the second side in the fourteenth line, whereof
I would have known likewise if the Kings's Grace would
have left out ^^ miracles,^ which all the bishops do think
good to be left out. And for the same purpose the self-
same place in the book of parchment is void.

Of the King'^s Grace^s advertisement in these three points
I would you had declared your diligence. But for to ob-
tain the said bill of his Grace, the premises never the more
declared, was rather after mine opinion a rash negligence,
than worthy to be reputed and taken for any manner of
diligence. And therefore according to your deserts, where
you were in time past esteemed but negligent in delaying,
now you shall obtain a more ample name, and be called also
negligent by imprudency and precipitation in your most ex-
pedition. Notwithstanding, forasmuch as you would fmn
obtain some other better name, to prove again your diligence
I have sent the said billet again to you, to the intent, when
ye shall know [the] King'^s pleasure in the premises, ye may
advertise me thereof, after such manner as in that behalf ye
may deserve to have your name changed and not augmented,
as it is now. And where I wrote not to you before so am-
ply as I do now, is not to be imputed to my negligence, but

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1684.] LETTERS. 115

to yours, by cause you did not consult with Doctor Shaxton^,
or Doctor Buttes', fully in this matter. Nor yet I have not
instructed you by these letters all things, but some you
must learn by mouth of Doctor Shaxton, who knoweth all
my whole mind herein.

And where you write, that the King^s Grace supposeth
that I have these articles in parchment, subscribed with
hands of the Council; surely at what time I was last at
Lambeth, Master Crumwell sent to me for it in the King^s
name, and since as yet I hear nothing thereof. Wherefore
I think it convenient that you inquire thereof, by cause it
may be forthcoming, and not required of me, where it is not
as it is thought to be.

Furthermore, ye may show Master Vice-Chancellor^^ of
Cambridge, that I have lost his bill of PauPs Cross, and
therefore I look for him these holydays to bring me another,
not doubting but that you will bear him company ; at which
your resort we shall commune of the preferment of your di-
ligence ; and if you lack horse, you shall have of me, at such
time as you shall appoint by this bearer. Thus fare you
well. From Croydon, the xxiv. day of May.

To Doctor Thrylby, Archdeacon of Ely.

CXXI. To THE Recoedeb of London.

Master Recorder, in my right hearty wise I commend meHari. Mss.
unto you. And where heretofore I wrote unto my Lord^^* ° '
Mayor of London, in the favour and preferment of one Mis-
tress Pachette, widow, for a house belonging unto the cham-
ber of London, which gladly she desireth to hold and occupy
for her commodity and ease, in case she might the same at-

1* [At this time chaplain and almoner to Queen Anne Boleyn. See
Letter cxxxi.; and a memoir of him in Strype, MemoriaU, vol. iii. p.
853.£

* fThe King's physician, a constant and powerful friend to Cranmer
and the Reformation. Strype and Burnet, pasKi'm.]

k [John Craiford, " gladiutor melior quam Procaucellarius/* Fuller,
Hi$t. <^ Cambridge.]

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116 LETTERS. [1634.

tain with favour of my sidd lord and his brethren; and
forasmuch as I am credibly informed, that by reason of such
your good testimony, discretion, and wisdom, wherein ye be
in credit with my said lord and his brethren, in such mat-
ters and affairs as passeth from them by their grants: I most
heartily require you therefore, the rather at this mine in-
stance and request, ye will bear towards the said Mistress
Pachete such your favour and assistance for her preferment
towards the said house, as I may for your benevolence herein
be in your danger for the same, in the accomplishing your
like requests of me, either for yourself or for your friends.
Thus fare you well. From Croydon, the xxv. day of May.
To Master Baker^ Recorder of London.

CXXII. To THE Duchess of Nobfolk.

Harl. MSS. My most singular good lady, in my most hearty wise I
4^b* * commend me unto your ladyship. And where your ser-
vant and mine ally Thomas Cade, hath obtained a certain
office in Calice to the value of vi^- a day, which would be
both for his preferment and commodity, in case he might
enjoy the same without check, and that he is contented to
supply and discharge all manner usages and customs to
the said office belonging, by his sufficient deputy, as herein
divers and many doth likewise use the same manner there ;
in consideration hereof, the siud Thomas intending to sue
unto the King^s Highness for a licence to be had in that be-
half, hath made a supplication unto his said Grace for the
obtiuning of the same, the which I myself would gladly
have promoted for him, unless of late I had not been very
importune unto his Highness for sundry matters concerning
myself, whereby even now I am the more unapt to sue in
this behalf: I most heartily desire your good ladyship,
therefore, for this time, at this mine instance and request,
you will cause some of your special friends nigh about the
King^s Highness to promote this his said suit, according to
the supplication made in that behalf; wherein your good

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1584.] LETTERS. 117

ladyship shall deserve of me such pleasure as I may : and
bind him both to owe unto you such his fidelity and service
as he can, and also to be your daily beadsman for the same.
Thus our Lord long preserve your good ladyship, to his
most pleasure and your hearths ease.
To the Right Honourable and mine

especial good lady^ my Lady

Duchess of Northfolke.

CXXIII. To Ceumwell.

Right Worshipful Master Crumwell, in my right hearty mss.
wise I commend me to you. So it is, that upon Tuesday 2'*'***'^
next ensuing I intend, God willing, to be at Rochester, in Westmin*
my Visitation, where (if ye have any special matters to be^[i5^^™'
inquired of) I will be glad to do my endeavour in the same, respond-
in case it may please you to advertise me thereof at this gmai.
side Sunday next ensuing. Furthermore, I heartily thank
you for your favours and goodness showed to my secretary,
Jamys Bamarde, this bearer, in such his suits as he hath
lately had unto you, for the reformation of such persons as
lately committed robbery upon his father ; and likewise pray
you to continue the same unto him, and specially to take
further pains to examine in your own personage the said
misdoers and oifenders ; whereby I trust (if it shall please
you so to do) many things yet concealed and kept secret
shall manifestly appear unto you by their own confession ;
for if they once look you in the face, they shall have no
power to conceal any thing from you. From Croidon, the
third day of June.

Your own assured ever,

Thomas Cantuar.

^ MSS.

Chapter
House,

CXXIV. To Ceumwell. Westmin-

Right Worshipful Master Crumwell, in my right hearty wen's Cor-

wise I commend me to you. So it is, that this bearer, ^'^°^,

1 8 ginnl.

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118 LETTERS. [1684.

which is master of my mint at Canterbury, hath divers
times informed me, that the Provost of the King^s Grace^s
mint in the Tower will not suffer him to have for his wages
and money such coiners of the Tower as is lawful for him
to have by the Eing'^s Grace's grant, under his Grace's
Great Seal ; because the same Provost, as I am informed, en-
deavoureth as much as in him lieth, to discourage the mer-
chants to have any access or resort to my said mint, for lack
of speedy coinage. And albeit the smd master of my mint
may, by the King'^s Grace'^s said grant, take in all places, as
well exempt as not exempt, such workmen and as many of
them as he would have, yet he would, if it may stand with
your favour and pleasure, have none other but such as do
belong unto the said Tower, because they be men of true
dealing and of good honesty. Wherefore I pray you to be
good master unto him, and for my sake to speak unto the
said Provost, that he may have for his wages at all times
such persons of the said Tower and as many of them to
work with him, as he shall hereafter desire. For unle^ it
may please you thus to do, my said mint^ and mastet of
the same shall be unoccupied ; which thing the said Provost,
as far as I can perceive, doth most covet and desire. From
Croydon, the 6th day of June.

Your own ever assured,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my
very loving friend Master Crum-
well, of the King's Grace's most
honourable Council.

1 [" Amongst the places where King John in his letters makes men-
<* tion of mipts kept m England, Canterbury is one, and had been so,
" 1 suppose, for many ages. King Athelstane appointing out the places
*< for mmts, and the number of minters throughout the ungdom, begins
" with Canterbury, to which he allowed seven minters : a greater num-
<< her than to any other place in the kingdom, except London, which
" was allowed to have eight. Of these seven, four were for the King,
" two for the Archbishop, and the seventh for tiie Abbot of St. Augus-

" tin*s When or how the Archbishop lost or left off his mintage

" here, I do no where find." Somner, Antiq, of Cant, The Abbot lost
his privilege in the reign of Stephen. Ibid.']

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1684.] LETTERS. 119

CXXV. To Cbumwell.
Right Worshipful Master Crumwell, in my right hearty mss.
wise I commend me to you: likewise thanking you fofHoiwe'
your favours borne to my cousin M olyneux, in his cause Westmin •
which a long time hath depended in the Chancery ; which ^ Ji'g ^"'
your favour I pray you to continue likewise as you have respond-
begun ; wherem m my opmion ye do take the just part, and^tno/.
for so doing shall merit and deserve thanks of God. From
Croydon, the viith day of June.

Your own ever assured,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my
very loving friend Master Crum-
weU, of the King's Grace most
honourable Council.

CXXVI. To Crumwbll.

Right Worshipful Master Crumwell, in my right hearty MSS.
wise I commend me to you. So it is, that the Provincial of ^^*^
the Friars Austyns hath of late constituted and ordained one Westmin-
Friar Olyver, Prior of the Black Friars in Cambridge, ^eu's Cor-'
which is not only a man of very small learning, sinister be- "^^^^il.
haviour, ill qualities, and of suspected conversation of living, ^^m/.
(as by the letters of divers well learned personages of the
said University, whereof I have sent you one, I have been
credibly informed ;) but is also the very same man which of
all other most indiscreetly preached against the Eing^s
Grace'*s great cause, and most defended the authority of the
Bishop of Rome, and of all men most unapt to bear any
rule in so noble a University, by whom also a great number
of the best learned in the same is much offended: wherefore
I pray you to be a mean, that he may be amoved from that
office, and that Dr. Hilsey ", or some other worshipful man

^ [John Hilsey, a Black or Dominican Friar, first of Bristol, after-
wards of . Oxford. It does not appear that he obtained the appoint-

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UO LETTERS. [1684.

may have it. There be in the same house of the Black
Friars men of good study, living, learning, and judgment ;
and pity it were but that they should have such a head and
ruler as is of like qualities. And I delivered unto you about
Easter last passed, or else afore, a certain billet containing
such matter as the same Friar Olyver preached in the last
Lent ; which bill, if ye had remembered, I doubt not but
that ye would have provided for the same Friar afore this
time ; albeit (if it may please you now to remember him)
there is no time yet lost, but that the same may be renewed
agiun. From Croydon, the viith day of June.

Your own ever assured.
To the Riglit Worshipful and my

very loving friend Master Crum-

well^ of the King's Grace's most

honourable Council.

CXXVII. To Crumwell.
MSS. Right Worshipful Mr. Crumwell, in my right hearty wise

House, I commend me to you. And where the County Palantyne"
Wcstmm- amongs all other pleasures doth much esteem the pastime
Cramweirs of hunting with great greyhounds, and specially with great
B^'ndencc. mastiffs, which in those parties be had in great price and
Original, value: these therefore be to pray you to advertise the
Eing^s Highness to send unto the said County a couple or
two of great greyhounds, and as many of great mastiffs ; the
same shall be as well accepted to him as though it had
pleased his Grace to have sent him a precious jewel or re-
ward ; which thing shall be no great charge to his Grace,
and yet nevertheless shall be highly esteemed with the re-
ceiver of the same. And therefore I pray you to have this

ment to .which he was now recommended; but he afterwards became
Prior of the Dominicans in London, and in Oct. 1535 was preferred to
the see of Rochester. He was a learned man, and a^reat assistant to
Cranmer. He died in 1538. Strype, Craitmer, p. 37.]
" [Lewis the Pacific, Elector Palatine.]

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1584.] LETTERS. 121

thing in your spedal remembrance^ when ye shall have con-
venient time. From Otford, the xth day of June.

Your own ever assured,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my
very loving friend Master Crum-
well^ of the King's Grace's most
honourahle Council.

CXXVIII. ToLatymee.

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And Harl. MSS.
where that in April last past, upon certain urgent grounds ^J^^' ^^^'
and causes reasonably thereto moving, both I, and other Christ, Re-
the bishops within my province, caused an Inhibition <> to be "•«»^«»»-
had for preaching in every of our dioceses, specially to the Not. 1820.
intent that the malignity of divers preachers might not have
place in the minds of the common people ; which intending
then as well to hinder the King^s Grace^s just cause of ma-
trimony, as also to deprave the acts and statutes made by
the Parliament?, it did appear that in their sermons they
rather preached sedition than edification ; whereupon it was
amonges us concluded, that from thenceforward no bishop,
ne bishop^s officer, should licence any to preach without
special injunction in that behalf first to them declared in
such manner, that is to wit, that all such as shall take on
them the office of preaching should neither preach any thing
which might seem prejudicial to the said matrimony, where-
by the King^s issue might come into question and doubt
amonges the vulgar people, nor likewise reprehend in their
sermons any such ordinances, acts, or statutes, heretofore
made, or by the said high Court of Parliament hereafter to

® [See Letter ci.]

P [Cranmer probably alludes to the Acts '* For the sabmission of the
" clergy to the King's Majesty,*' " For restraining the payment of a|i-
" nates," " For the exoneration from exactions paid to the see of
" Rome,'' " For the establishment of the King's succession,'' all passed
in the early part of 1534.]

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122 LETTERS. [1684.

be ordained : Therefore, inasmuch as at your instance and
request I have licensed divers to preach within my province,
to whom I have neither ^ven such injunctions accordingly
as is before specified ; nor yet, though I minded so to do,
conveniently I could not without their intolerable charges
and expenses in resorting so far unto me for the same ; I
will that you for my discharge herein, in my name and for
my behalf, do take upon you the administration of these
said injunctions for all such as hath already had or here-
after shall have my said licence to preach at your said re-
quest and instance. Wherein I would ye were right cir-
cumspect that they may be well observed, or else to send
me such my licences again, of whom ye doubt for the ob-
servation hereof. Thus fare you well. [1684.]
To Master Latymer, Parson of Weste
Kynton^ in Wilteshere.

CXXIX. ToCeumwell.

MSS. Right Worshipful Master Secretary, in my right hearty

Chapter wise I Commend me to you. So it is, I intend to prefer my

WesuniD- servant John Brice, this bearer, to the King^s Grace's ser-

^J**"? ,,. vice, if I may the same obtmn for him ; but I being discou-

Corre- raged thus to do, because of late I heard you reprove him

*^^^^^^®' very sore, for causes you then moving and yet unknown

unto me ; being also very loth to do or attempt any thing

concerning his said preferment, unless it may first please

you to stand good master unto him ; I am moved of very

charity and pity, to desire you to be good master unto him,

and for my sake remitting all old matters and occasions of

displeasure, to bear towards him your favour and good will,

the rather at this my instance; without which, he recog-

nizeth neither to be able to enjoy the said preferment

quietly in case it were granted, neither yet by any other

promotion to joy of himself. Wherefore I heartily pray

you, good Master Secretary, to be good unto him, and in

this matter to make unto me or to him such comfortable

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1584.] LETTERS. 128

answer, as may satisfy my expectation, and quiet his mind :
assuring you, that I have many times noted such pen^ve-
ness in him, conceived by your said reproving words, as I
do think him very penitent and sorrowful for your displea-
sure towards him. And therefore I pray you to forgive and
pardon him, as he may be your daily beadsman. From
Knoll, the 26. day of December.

Your own ever assured,

Thomas Cantuar.

To the Right Worshipful and my
very loving friend Master Secre-
tary to the King's Highness.

CXXX. ToLatymee<i.

I commend me unto you, &c. These be to certify you of hwI. MSS.
the King^s pleasure, how that his Grace is contented that ^V^*
ye shall be admitted to preach on all the Wednesdays of ^^
this next Lent before him. Whereupon I thought it very Remem^
expedient, for divers considerations reasonably me moving Jj^^^^^
thereto, to admonish you of certain things in no wise to be
neglect and omitted on your behalf, in time of your preach-
ing; which to observe and follow according to mine advice
hereafter to you prescribed, shall at the length redound to
your no little laud and praise.

First, therefore, take this order, (if ye will) reading over
the book ye take for your purpose some processes of Scrip-
ture, the Gospel, Pistill, or any other part of Scripture in
the Bible, and the same to expound and declare according
to the pure sense and meaning thereof; wherein, above all
things it will be most convenient, that ye do not at all per-
suade for the defence of your own causes and matters lately
in controversy ^ ; but that ye rather do seem utterly [to pass

1 [There is no direction to this Letter in the manuscript, but it is clear
from Letter cxxxi. that it was addressed to Lutymer.]

^ [" During this Parliament [1534], every Sunday at Paul's Cross
<' preached a bishop, declaring the Pope not to be Supreme Uead of

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124 LETTERS. [1636.

over] those your accusations, than now in that place any
sparkle or suspicion of grudge should appear to remain in
you for the same. This done, that likewise ye be very cir-
cumspect to overpass and omit all manner speech, either
apertly or suspiciously sounding against any special man''s
facts, acts, manners, or sayings, to the intent your audience
have none occasion thereby, namely to slander your adver-
saries ; which would seem to many that you were void of
charity, and so much the more unworthy to occupy that
room. Nevertheless, if such occasion be given by the word
of God, let none offence or superstition be unreprehended,
specially if it be generally spoken, without affection.

Furthermore, I would ye should so study to comprehend
your matters, that in any condition you stand no longer in
the pulpit than an hour, or an hour and an half at the most,
for by long expense of time the King and the Queen shall
peradventure wax so weary at the beginning, that they shall
have small delight to continue throughout with you to the
end. Therefore let the effect of the premises take no place
in your mind, specially before this circumspect audience, to
the intent that you in so doing need not to have any other
declaration hereafter against the misreports of your adver-
saries. And for your further instruction in this behalf, I
would ye should the sooner come up to London, here to pre-
pare all things in a readiness, according to such expectation
as is had in you.

<< the Church. Also in other places of the realm great troubles were
<* raised about preaching, namely, at Bristow, where Master Latimer
<< preached, and there preached against him one Hobberton and Dr.
« Powell, so that there was great part takings on both sides : insomuch
<< that divers priests and other set up bills against the Mayor, and
*' against Master Latimer ; but the Mayor (permitting laymen to
'< prench) caused divers priests to be apprehended and cast into New-
'' gate, with bolts upon them, and divers other ran away and lost their
'' hvings, rather than come to the Mayor's handling." Stow, AnnaU,
For a more detailed account of these troubles, see Strype, who places
them under 1533; {Memorials, vol. i. p. 159, &c.) and Foxe, vol. iii.
p. 463; where are some letters respecting them by Latymer himself.
See tUso Wilkins, Concilia^ vol. iii. p. 700, for Stokesley's inhibition of
Master Hugh Latymer from preaching within the diocese of J^ndon,
dated the 2nd of October, 1533.]

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1686.] LETTERS. 126

CXXXI. To THE Deak of the Chapel Royal.

Master Dean, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto Harl. MSS.
you. And whereas Master Latymer, a man of singular?'^* '^'^'*
learning, virtuous example of living, and sincere preaching Christ.
the word of God, hath lately been endangered, and suf- ^«"«»«-
fered great obloquy* ; and also I myself, for justly licensing Nor. iSao.
him to preach within the precincts and limits of my pro-
vince, have been likewise misreported ; I intending evermore
the furtherance of the truth and the pure dispensation of the
word of God, in consideration of my discharge, declaration
of Master Latymer, and satisfaction of such misreporters,
have most humbly desired and sued unto the King^s High-
ness, to grant unto the said Master Latymer license to
preach before his Grace all the Wednesdays of this next
Lent ensuing. Therefore these shall be to desire and re-
quire you, upon the King^s pleasure thus known, for to dis-
charge the assignment already appointed, or hereafter to be,
to any person in that behalf, and require him (if any such
be) to be contented with the same ; for I upon the King's
pleasure thus willing, have already admonished the said
Master Latymer to provide therefore.

Furthermore, these shall be heartily to desire you also,
that my old acquainted friend, Master ShaxtonS the Queen's
Grace's almoner, may be assigned likewise to preach the
third Sunday in Lent before the King's Grace ; and that
you will forthwith, upon the sight hereof, ascertain me in
your letters by this bearer, accordingly to the King's Grace's
said pleasure and my request. For thus doing you shall
have me ready to accomplish condignly your requests, and
show unto you like pleasure from time to time. At Otte-
ford, the ixth day of July".

* rSee Letter cxxx.]

* [See Letter cxx. p. 115. Shaxton was elected Bishop of Salisbury
the 33Dd of Feb. 1535; Latymer was consecrated Bishop of Worcester
in Sept. of the same year. Nicolas, Synopm of the Peerage,']

^ [This seems to be a clerical error for January. In arranging this
and the preceding Letter, Stow's date of the controversy at Bristol lias

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1«6 LETTERS. [1686.

CXXXII. To Cbumwell.

MSS. Right Worshipful Master Secretary, I commend me

HouM*^ heartily to you. And these be to desire you to be good
Westmin- master unto my servant Nevell, this bearer, which hath been
CrnmweU's * suitor long time, to his great loss, hinderance, and utter
^r^ undoing:, in the matter of Wilton Abbey, unless your cha-
Or%gin<a. ntable favour may be to him showed. And as far as I can
perceive, the matter again him surmised, was done of malice
and of no just cause ; wherefore I am the more desirous to
write unto you in his favour, trusting that you will be the
better unto him at this my desire ; and that he may have
your favourable letters unto the Abbess^ there, whereby he
may be restored unto his office according to his patent, with-
out any further suit in the law. And he shall be at all
times ready to stand to all such order as shall please you to
take therein. From Knoll, 16th day of January.

Your own ever assured,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Worshipful and my very
loving friend Master Secretary
to the King's Grace.

CXXXIII. ToCrumwell.

MSS. Right Worshipful Master Secretary, I commend me hear-

How^ tily to you : likewise praying you to have in your good re-
Wentmin- membrance the contents of such my letters^ as I of late sent
Crumweirs ^^^ y^") ^^^ ^^ King^s Grace^s letters to be obtained and
Coire- directed to the Lord Deputy of Calise, and other his Grace^s
Original. ' Counsellors there, in the favour of two such chaplains of
mine, as I intend to send thither with all speed, to preach
the word of God ; whom I would have sent thither before

been preferred to S trypans ; but the point is exceedingly doubtful. If
Strype is correct, these two Letters were probably wntten in January
15S4.]
* [Cecil Bodenham. See Letter l.]

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1585] LETTERS. 127

this time, if I might have had the said letters, for which
this bearer doth only repair unto you for expedition there-
in, whom I pray you to dispatch as soon as ye may. From
Knoll, the S2. day of January.

Your own assured ever,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Worshipful and my very
loving h-iend Master Cnunwell,
Secretary to the King's most
noble Grace.

CXXXIV. To-

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And Harl. MSS.
whereas I understand, that the Prior of the Charter House ^J^; ^^^'
within the Isle of Axholmey hath a certain suit unto you, I
heartily desire you, ye will, the rather at this my request,
show unto him your convenient favour in all such his affairs
and suits as he now hath with you. And for to recompense
the same, I will be ready at all times to show unto you
like pleasure accordingly.

CXXXV. To

In my right hearty manner I commend me unto you. HaH. MSS.
And whereas you have always heretofore exhibited and^j^y j,
showed favourable and special friend [ship] unto your poor
tenant Jackson, and now of late, for that the said Jackson
being oppressed with poverty and by divers casualties fallen
into decay, is grown much in your debt, ye have distrained
the goods of the said Jackson, and made reenter again into
your farm, which is not alonely to the utter destruction and
undoing of the said poor man, but also great lett and hin-
derance to you in the obtaining a full satisfaction and pay-
ment of your duty : This shall be heartily to desire and
pray you, that at the contemplation of these my letters, ye
y [See Letter ccx.]

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128 LETTERS. [1636.

will be contented not alonely to ^ve and grant unto the said
Jackeson, (finding you sufficient sureties, as well for the pay-
ment of your yearly rent, as also for the payment of five
pounds yearly over and above the said yearly rent, until the
arrearages be fully satisfied and paid,) according to the tenor
of the old lease, the occupying of his farm for the terms of
xxiiii. years, but also permit and suffer him to have now at
Candlemas the sale of his corn, and other profits which be
risen of the said farm ; and thus shall you not alonely do
for me a right singular pleasure and gratuity, which I
would be glad to requite hereafter at all times accordingly,
but also bind the poor man, his wife, and children to pray
for you during their Hves. And thus fare you well.

CXXXVI. To

Harl. MSS. Wellbeloved, I commend me heartily unto you all. Idke-
47^' ^^^' ^^ praying you to be good masters unto John Jackeson
your farmer, that he may have a new lease of your farm for
xxiiii. years, to him and his assigns, according to the tenor
of your former lease in all points and clauses. And for
such debts as he oweth unto you, he shall and will find suf-
ficient sureties to pay you at days, after the rate of five
pounds a year, until the same whole debts be fully contented
and paid, over and above the yearly rent for the farm ; if it
may please you thus to do for my sake, the poor man shall
not alonely pray for you, but find such surety as well for the
payment of the old debts as for the yearly farm, as shall be
a good mean to you for the recovery of all that which is
owing ; and how ye shall be minded herein I pray you to
ascertain me by your letters. From Lambeth.

CXXXVII. ToaPeioe.
Harl. MSS. Brother Prior, in my right hearty wise I commend me
fol?49. ^^^ y^"' ^^^ where this bearer Thomas Hogeson, my

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1685.] LETTERS. 129

servant, hath certain business and affairs to be done in those
your parties, I require you for my sake, that if he shall
need of your favour herein, he may have recourse unto you
for the same ; for the which at all times I will be ready to
requite it unto you.

CXXXVIII . To-

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you : like- Hail. MSS.
wise desiring you for my sake, that you will bear such your ^^' ^^'
favour unto this bearer, Tho. H. my servant, as thereby he
may the rather bring to pass such his business and affairs,
as at this time he hath to do in your parties; and for the
same I will be ready at any time to show you Uke pleasure
accordingly.

CXXXIX. To

I commend me unto you. And where certain of your Harl. MSS.
parochians were lately afore me at Enoll for certain ^*^" ^'
crimes and causes, as ye do know^ and to some of them ckrist.
I have enjoined certain penance, as by a book enclosed *;^JJ^'
within these my letters you shall at large perceive; I there- Nor. i8ao.
fore will and require you, that upon Sunday, which shall be
the last day of February *, ye see that the said persons do
their penance penitently, according to the purport of the
said book, and that you certify me duly thereof by this
bearer my servant, of whom ye shall receive a monition for
all such persons as can and will gainsay to the purgation of
John M anyng, assigned to be made according to the con-
tents of the said monition. Wherein [and] in all other the
premises, I will that you do your diligent endeavour as shall
beseem you. [1585.]

' [Sunday fell on tbe last day of February in 1535, which may there-
fore oe assumed to be the year in which this Letter was written. Nico-
las, Notitia Historka,]

VOL. I. K

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180 LETTERS. \IB95.

CXL. To Cbumwell.

MSS. Right Worshipful Master Secretary, I commend me

House, heartily to you. And where for the honesty and good ser-
Westmin- yice Qf my servant Thomas Barthelet x, I do tender his pre*
weu's Cor. ferment, and cannot^ as I would gladly, do for him unless
"ncT^^-i- ^^ ^^^® disposed to be a secular, which, as I perceive, he
ginai, intendeth not ; I therefore minding to do for him otherwise
Harl. MSS. by my friends as I may, being also now, as often times
fol?4o. b. heretofore, bold upon you, to desire you Uy supply my ne-
cessities when K cannot compass the same myself, do by
thesjB my letters commend and present him unto you,, with
no less good heart and mind than ye presented him unto
me^ praying you heartily to accept him to your service at
my hand, and for my sake to set him tp such ben^dal eptr
ercise as ye shall think meet for him, as he apd his may
pray for you : wherein I trust he shall do such sei*vice as
shall always be acceptable and to the contentation of your
mind. And how ye shall be minded herein, I pray you to
declare to the bearer hereof. From Knoll, the first day of
March.

Your own ever assured,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my very
loving Mend Master Secretary, to the
ling's Highi^e^

CXLI. To Cbukwsll.

MSS. Right Worshipful Master Secretary, in most hearty wise

Hou^' 1 commend me unto you. And as I understand ye have

Westmin- sent for Dr. Benger* of Wingham, so it is, that yesterday,

wen's Co™. *he 13th day of March, I received a letter from my brother^

respond-

enoe. Ori-

ernuU. y [See Letter lxxix.]

* [Probably tbe same person who was afterwards sent to the Tower
under the Act of the Six Articles. Burnet, Ref. vol. iii. p. 389.]

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1^85.) LETTERSi Wi

the Archdeacon of Canterbury % concerning the daid Dbctor
Benger, which I thought expedient to send unto you with'
speed : the words of the letter were these :

^^ Upon St. Matthew^s even last past, the said Doctor
^ Bei^r being at my table, affirmed the authority of the
<< Bishop of Rome ; and after many arguments and reasons
<< he said, ^ These new laws may be suffered for a season,
<< < but in time to come, it will cost broken heads, and set
** ^ men together by the ears ;** and then I said, * Master
** ^ Doctor, take heed what you say, for I am sworn to the
** * King'^s Grace, and neither may nor will conceal any thing
" * contrary to his Majesty,' who answered again, and said,
** ^ I mean not here, but somewhere else out of this realm.' "

These words the Archdeacon writeth, but who was else
present and heard the same he writeth not, wherefore I have
sent unto him fbr the whole process of their communication
to be sent in writing, with the seals of them that were pre-
sent *>.

This day my lord of Wilshire, my lord of Burga-
venny, and my lord Cobham, were with me at Knoll, to
counsel together of the King'^s commissions concerning the
subsidy S directed unto us with many other, and we have ap-
pointed the Tuesday after Palm Sunday for all the com-
misMoners to meet at Madeston, at 9 of the clock in the
morning. And forasmuch as the same persons be in an-
other cortlmission, concerning the valuation of the tenth and
first fruits of the clwgy, except viii that be altered, I have
therefore sent for those viii to be also at Maideston the same
time appointed, that under one journey we may finish two

* [Edmund Cranmer, Archdeacon of Canterbury, and Provost of
Wiogham. See Letter lxxvi. note.]

^ ^he depositions of these persons are still preserved in the Chapter
House. They confirm the Archdeacon's statement, and moreover as-
sert Dr. Benger to have declared, '< that by what authority we denied
** the Pope, by the same authority he would deny the Scripture, and say
*^ that Christ is not yet bom : saymg that he would abide by the same.' J

c [The Act for the subsidy, («6 Hen. VIII. c. 19,) and the Act for the
valuation of the tenths, &c. (26 Hen. VIII. c. 3.) were both passed in
the session which began the 3d of Nov. 1534. See Statute$of the Realm ;
Bum. Ref. vol. i. p. 320; Strype, MemoriaUfVoL i. p. 211.]

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18« LETTERS. [1636.

labours ; and because that ye be in both the commisfflons, I
pray you that I may know your pleasure, whether ye will
be there, as I suppose ye cannot, or else, if you have any
thing to advertise us of, that you would have done there.
Thus our Lord preserve you. At Knoll, the 14th day of
March. [1636.]

Your own assured ever,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my very
special friend Master Secretary.

CXLIL To

Hari. MSS. Sister, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto you :
6148. f. 50. signifying to you, that I have appointed one Mistress
Creke^ to come to you within these iii or iiii days, late
wife unto one of my servants deceased. And forasmuch as
she was left very bare, and in great necessity and need, void
now of all aid, succour, and friendship, and also hitherto
brought up both wealthily and after an honest sort and
manner, and so the rather unmeet either to serve or labour
for her living, I am minded to see her to have both an
honest living, and honestly bestowed ; wherefore I require
you, that with all favour you will entreat and entertain her
when she shall resort unto you, and I myself will see you
contented for her board. Over this, you must be content to
forbear your chaplain Mr. Rix. My lord of Wilteshere,
notwithstanding my many persuaaons to the contrary, is so
importunate for him, that he will not have no nay ; inso-
much that his mind is, that he come tomorrow sennight,
which is Tuesday, unto Middeston, and so thence to depart
with him home for altogethers. I pray you therefore that
you will discharge him against the same day, so that he shall
not need to rejoumey again to you.

J [Probably the widow of CraDiner's servant John Creke. See Letters

XVIII. XXXVll. LXXTI. LXXX.]

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1636.] LETTERS. 188

CXLIII. ToMe. Rix.

I commend roe to you. These be to signify to you, that Hari. MSS.
my lord of Wilteshere is fully determined, notwithstanding ^^^'^j^
any manner suit or insinuation to the contrary, to have
you abide with him in his household ; insomuch, that he
willed me on Passion Sunday last to send you word, that
you fail not to meet with him at Madstone on Tuesday come
sennight, from whence you must depart with him; and
therefore against that time see that you be in such a readi-
ness, as you need not to rejoumey again, but to accomplish
his mind and pleasure with all your endeavour accordingly.

CXLIV. To Ceumwell.

Right Worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend MSS.
me to you. And whereas I am informed, that upon suit^^JJ^
to you made, you have of late directed your letters to the Westmin-
Master and Fellows of Jesus College^ of Cambridge, mov- ^^|*g ^™*
ing them, forasmuch as you were informed that certain se-^esi^nd-
diuous persons should trouble the quiet possession of SLginai,
farmer of theirs, lately having interest in a certain farm be-
longing to the said College, to signify to you their names,
to die intent you might see a reformation in that behalf; I
most heartily require you, that in this matter you will sus-
pend your judgment, and repel all manner information and
suit made to you herein^ until such time that I myself shall
farther commune with you for the same ; which, Grod wil-
ling, I intend shall be shortly, as well to have communica-
tion with you of St. Stephen^s, as also to do my duty to the
King'^s Highness and the Queen, whom of long I have not
seen. Thus our Lord long preserve you in health. At
Otteforde, the 6th day of *April.

Your own ever assured,

Thomas Cantuar.

To my singular and especial good
friend Master Secretary.

« [See Letter xvi.]
k8

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184 LETTERS. [1686.

CXLV. To Cbumww^l.

MSS. Right Worshipful, in my most hearty wise I oommend

HovM« ' me unto you. And whereas I understand, that amongst

Westmin- odieT persons attainted of high treason, the^ Prior of Ax-

f^rs S™ hdme, named Webster, and Master Raynidd of Syon, be

'csp®"^- judged according to the law, for offending against the late

^mai. Act s of Parliament made for the suppresang of the usurped

power of the Bishop of Rome ; surely I do much marvd €)l

them both, specially of Mr. Raynold, having sudi sight in

Scriptures and Doctors, and also of the other, which pro-

nused me that he would never meddle for the defence of

that opinion; much pitying me that such men should

suffer with so ignorant judgments, and if there be none other

offence laid against them than this one, it will be much

more for the conversion of all the fauters hereof, ^fter mine

opinion, that their consciences pay be clearly averted from

the ^ame by communication of sincere doctrine, and so they

tQ publish it likewise to the world, than by the justice of the

law to suffer in such ignorance. And if it would please

^ [Augustine Webster, Prior of the Charter Hoase in the Isle of Ax-
holme, Richard Raynold, a roonk of Sion, John Houghton, Prior of
the Charter House London, Robert Lawrence, Prior of Beauvale, and
John Uaile, Vicar of Thistleworth, were all condemned for treason
on the 29th of April 1535. The jury, it is said, were unwilling to
bring in such holy persons guilty as mule&ctors, and at last did not give
their verdict, till they were overawed by the threats of Crumwell in per-
son. After this interference it is not to be wondered at, that the in-
tercession of Cranmer was disregarded. All the five were executed at
Tyburn on the 4th of May. Houghton and Raynold in particular,
" were of celebrated fame for their piety : of the former, Crumwell
** himself in the Chapter house of his Convent said before a great
** many, that he wus a just and holy man.'' Strype, MemoriaUy vol. i.
p. 197, who gives an affecting account of their sufferings from Htft.
Mart, AngL See also Stow, Annals ; Burnet, "Rtf, vol. i. p. 704.]

% [The Statute 28 Hen. VIII. c. 10. fbr " the extirpation of the Bi-
*^ shop of Rome's authority" was not passed till 1536. The Act
therefore to which Cranmer here alludes must be 20 Hen. VIII.
c. 13, " For the expositions of certain treasons ;** by which it was
made treason to '< practise to deprive the King of the digniry, title,
<' or name of his royal estate.'* As one of his titles by a former Statute,
26 Hen. VIII. c. 1, was '' Supreme Head," all who denied his supremacy
were indictable for treason. See Statutet of the Realm, The ordinary
report amon^ the common people was, that these men had combined
together to kill the King. Strype, MemoriaU.']

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1686.] LETTERS. 186

the Ekig^s Highness to send ttiem uivt6 me, I suf^ote I
tottld do very miieh with them in tliis behalf. Now whether
this mine ndvertisement shall make as well for our Sovereign
Lord the Eing^s safeguard, and th^ weal of this his redte,
as this justice, I remit it to your discretion and wisdom.
Thus our L4*d preserve you in health. At Otteforde, the
XXX. day of April. [1£^.]

'i'our own ever assured,

Thomas Cantuar.
To mj very flS^i^^ulalr and especial
friend Master Secretary.

CXLVI. To Ceumwell.

Right Worsh^iful, in my most hearty wise I txnmnend Mss.
me unto you. And whereas I understand by this bearer^ Ho^*^
that you hidierto hath borne unto the same your favour ; it Westmio-
will like you now, die rather fotr my sake, both to continue cell's Cor-~
the same, and also to show him vour more ample favour in ■'^pond-

, cnce.

such things as now he hath to do with you, fbr I suppose Originai.
the man int^deth well; and in so doing I will be always
ready to accomplish your like requests. Thus our Lord pre^
serve you in health. At Otteforde, the 6th day of Maye.

Your own ever assured,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Ri^t Worahit)fiil and my
y^ dngnlar good friend Master
Secretary.

CXLVII. ToCbumwbll.
Right Worriiipful, in my most hearty wise I commend cott
me unto you : most heartily thanking you, for that you have ^^^' .
agnified unto me, by iny chaplain Master Champion, the i. foi. a6o.
.complaint of the Bishop of Winchester unto the King'^s ^^«"**^
Highness, in two things concerning my Vi^tation^. The one ^^^1!in.
^ [See Buraet, Ref. vol. iii. p. 200; Strype, Cranmer, p. 83.] *»• *»^* ^^
k4 ^^'

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186 LETTERS. [1536.

Strype, «, that in my style I am written, " Totius Anglise Primas,"

Cranm, ^^ ^^ derogation and prejudice of the King^s high power

XIV. and authority, being Supreme Head of the Church. The

L<»rd other is, that his diocese (not past five years agon) was

Tractt, visited by my predecessor, and must from henceforth pay

vol. xir. p. the tenth part of the spiritualties, according to the Act

granted in the last session of this Parliament > ; wherefore

he thinketh, that his diocese should not be charged with my

Visitation at this time.

First, as concerning my style, wherein I am named " To-
^^ tius Anglise Primas,^ I suppose, that to make his cause
good, (which else in deed were naught,) he doth mix it with
the King's cause, (as ye know the man lacketh neither learn-
ing in the law, neither witty invention, ne craft to set forth
his matters to the best) that he might appear not to main-
tain his own cause, but the King's; against whose High-
ness, he knoweth right well, that I will maintain no cause,
but give place, and lay both my cause and myself at my
prince's feet. But to be plain what I think of the Bishop
of Winchester, I cannot persuade with my self that he so
much tendereth the King's cause as he doth his own, that i
should not visit him : and that appeareth by the very time.
For if he cast no farther but the defence of the King^s
Grace's authority, or if he intended that at all, why moved
he not the matter, before he received my monition for my
Visitation ; which was within four miles of Winchester de-
livered unto him the 24th day of April last, as he came up
to the Court .^ Moreover, I do not a little marvel, why he
should now find fault, rather than he did before i^, when he
took the Bishop of Rome as chief head : for though the Bi-
shop of Rome was taken for Supreme Head, notwithstand-
ing that, he had a great number of primates under him ;
and by having his primates under him, his supreme autho-

* [Stat. 26 Hen. VIII. c. 3. See Letter cxli.]

k T" The Archbishop of Canterbury's title was in Convocation ordered
'< to oe altered : instead of the title of ^ legate of the apostolic see/ he
** was to be designed ' metropolitan, and primate.' This last was one
'< of his ancient titles.^ Burnet, Rtf. vol. iii. p. 199. See Wilkins,
ConciUa, vol. iii. p. 769, for the proceedings of the Convocation.]

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1685.] LETTERS. 187

rity was not less esteemed, but much the more. Why then
may not the King^s Highness, being Supreme Head, have
primates under him, without any diminishing, but with the
augmenting of his said supreme authority ? And of this I
doubt not at all, but that the Bishop of Winchester know-
eth as well as any man living, that in case this said style or
title, had been in any point impediment or hinderance to
the Bishop of Rome^s usurped authority, it would not have
so long been unreformed as it hath been. For I doubt not
but all the bishops of England would ever gladly have had
the Archbishop^s both authority and title taken away, that
they might have been equal together ; (which well appear-
eth by the many contentions against the Archbishops for
jurisdiction, in the Court of Rome ;) which had been easily
brought to pass, if the Bishops of Rome had thought the
Archbishop^s titles and styles to be any derogation to their
supreme authority.

All this notwithstanding, if the bishops of this realm pass
no more of their names, styles, and titles, than I do of mine,
the King^s Highness shall soon order the matter between us
all. And if I saw that my style were agiunst the King^s
authority, (whereunto I am specially sworn,) I would sue
myself unto his Grace, that I might leave it; and so would
have done before this time. For I pray Grod never be
merdful unto me at the general judgment, if I perceive in
my heart that I set more by any title, name, or style that
I write, than I do by the paring of an apple, farther than
it shall be to the setting forth of God^s word and will. Yet
I will not utterly excuse me herein ; for God must be judge,
who knoweth the bottom of my heart, and so do not I my-
self: but I speak forsomuch as I do feel in my heart, for
many evil affections lie lurking there, and will not lightly
be espied. But yet I would not gladly leave any just thing
at the pleasure and suit of the Bishop of Winchester, he
being none otherwise affectionate unto me than he is. Even
at the beginning first of Christ'^s profession, Diotrephes de-
nred gerere primatum in ecclesia^ as saith St. John in
his last Epistle: and since, he hath had more successors

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188 LETTERS. [1S85.

dm all the Apofldes had, of whom have ootiie all these
glorious dtles, styles, md poaips into the Church. But I
would, that I, and all my brethren the bishops, wouM leave
all our styles, and write the style of our offices, calling ow-
sehes *<aposto)os Jesu Christi:"^ so that we took not upon
us the name vainly, but were so even in deed ; so that we
might order our diocese in such 8ort> that neither papefi
parchment, lead, nor wax, but the very Christian oonversa*
tion of the people might be the letters and seals of our
offices, as the Corinthians were unto Paul, to whom he said,
lAter€B nomine et signa apostokMs nosiri voi €9(is.

Now for the second. Where the Bishop of Winchester
all^eth the visitation of my predecessor, and the tenth
part now to be paid to the King; truth it is, that my pre-
decessor visited the diocese of Winchester after the decease
of my l<Hrd Cardinal, as he did all other dioceses (sede
vacante); but else I think it was not viated by none of my
predecessors this forty years. And notwithstanding that,
he himself, not con«dering their charges at that time^
charged them with a new visitation within less than half
a year after; and that against all right, as Doctor Incent
hath reported to my Chancellor ; the clergy at that time^
paying to the King half of their benefices in five years,
which is the tenth part every year, as they paid before,
and have paid unce, and shall pay still for ever by the last
Act. But I am very glad that he hath now some com^
passion of his diocese, although at that time he had very
small, when he did vint them the same year that my pre^
deoessor did visit. And also other bidiops, whose course
is to visit this year, keep their visitation, (where I did vimt
the last year,) notwithstanding the tenth part to be paid to
the Cng^s Grace. Howbeit I do not so in Wjrnchestar
diocese ; for it is now the third year since that diocese was
visited by any man, so that he hath the least cause to oom^

1 rrhe Convocation of 1533 granted to the King, mediam partem

'< ▼aloris onuiiiim froctuuniy &c intra cjainque annot letandatn*''

But the Act contained a protestation, that this srant was new and un-
usual, occasioned by their special regard for his Majesty, and not to be
drawn into a precedent. Wilkins, CSncUiaf voi. iii. p. 699.]

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15S5.] LETTERS. 189

plain ef any Ushop, for it is longer nnoe his diocese was ^
sited than the other. Therefore where he layeth to aggra-
vate the matter, the charges of the late Act granted, it is no
more against me, than against all other bishops that do
vidt this year, nor maketh no more against me this year,
than it made against me the Ust year, and shall do every
year hereafter. For if they were true men, in accompting
and paying the Eing^s subsidy, they are no more charged
by this new Act than they were for the space of ten years
past, and shall be charged ever hereafter. And thus to con-
clude ; if my said Lord of Wynchester^s objections should
be allowed this year, he might by such arguments both
disallow all manner visitations that hath be done these ten
years past, and that ever shall be done hereafter. Now I
pray you, good Master Secretary, of your advice, whether I
shall need to write unto the Eing^s Highness herdn. And
thus our Lord have you ever in his preservation. At Otte-
forde, the xii. day of May. [1686.]

Your own ever assured,

Thomas Cantuar.

CXLVIII. To Ceumwell.

Master Secretary, in most hearty wise I commend me unto mss.
you: and so send unto you here enclosed such thing as were Chapter
noticed unto me this present Tuesday"*, which I cannot, ob- Wcstmin-
serving my fidelity, keep undisclosed. Wherefore I require Jj^i^f Si""
you to open the same unto the Eing^s Highness, to the in- respond-
tent his Grace's pleasure may be known herein. And asJS^
touching Sir John^, the parish priest of Wyteaham, be is
in prison at Maidston, until such time as I shall hear word
from you what shall be done in this behalf. Tlius our Lord

"> [The 95th of May 1535, fell on a Tuesday, and thas determines the
date of this Letter.]

" [John Hastings was Parson of WyUrisham near Tenterden in 1535.
Vaior, Ecclet.]

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140 LETTERS. [16S6.

preserve you in prosperity. At Otteforde, the xxv. day of
May. [1686.]

Your assured ever,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my
singular good friend Master Se-
cretary.

CXLIX. To Cbumw£ll.

MSS. Right Worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend

Chapter me unto you. And whereas this bearer, Mr. Roode of
WestiniD- Grayes Inn, hath a certain suit for title of land depending
Cromwell's^" the Chancery o, wherein he hath divers that beareth against
Corres- him, I desire you to be so good and favourable unto him at
SS^SioI ^l^is my request and instance^ that he may have right with
expedition ; wherein you shall do a right good deed, and
have my hearty thanks for the same. Thus our Lord pre-
serve [you]. At Otteforde, the xxvii. day of May.

Your own assured ever,

Thomas Cantuar.
To my singular and especial Mend
Mr. Secretary.

CL. To Cbumwellp.

CottMSS. Right Worshipful Master Secretary, in my right hearty
^^f' ^ise I commend me to you. These shall be to advertise
fol. 233. b. you, that this fourth day of June I have received the King^s
^^*^'*^'^ Grace's most honourable letters, bearing date from Grene-
wiche, the third of the same, concerning such effects as be

^ rif this Letter is rij^btly placed in 1535, Crumwell was now Master
of trie Rolls, bavins succeeaed Dr. Taylor in that office in Oct. 1534.
He resigned it on oeing appointed Lord Privy Seal, the 3nd of July
15S6J

P [This appears to be the Letter referred to by Strype, Mtmorialt, vol.
i. p. 186.]

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1636.] LETTERS. 141

therein expressed, touching the speedy and diligent decla-
ration and setting forth of the Eing^s Grace'^s title and style
of Supreme Head in earth, immediately under God, of the
Church of England, at such times and in all such places, as
be in the same the King^s most honourable letters at length
limited and assigned. Wherein I intend (God willing) to
satisfy the King^s Grace^s express commandment in every
point to the most of my power, according to my bounden
duty, as speedily as I may, praying you to advertise me by
this bearer, or otherwise as you shall think good, of your
mind and resolution touching such doubts, as the same shall
open unto you on my behalf, concerning some of the con-
tents of the King^s Grace^s said letters. Thus our Lord
have you in his tuition. At Lambeth, the ivth day of June.
[1586.]

Your assured ever,

Thomas Cantuarien.

CLI. To Ceumwell.
Right Worshipful, in my right hearty wise I commend mss.
me to you. And so here send unto you as well the priest, ^^^^
which in reading of the Act^ concerning the tenth part of Westmin-
the spiritualty, bid avengeance on the King and all those c^mwell's
that assented to the making of that Act ; as also the woman Corres-
which siud, that since this new Queen was made, there was^^^^^.*
never so much pilling and polling in this realm, asking aven-
geance also upon her. Thus fare you well* At Lambeth,
the 7th day of June.

Your own assured ever,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my very
singular and especial friend Mas-
ter Secretary.

<i [The Act meant seems to be Stat. 26. Hen. VIII. c. 3. for giving
the nrst fruits and tenths to the King, which was passed in the Session
beginning the 3rd of Nov. 1534. If so, this Letter must have been writ-
ten in 1635, and not as Mr. Todd places it, in 1534. Todd, Life of
CranmeTy vol. i. p. 109.]

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142 LETTERS. [ISK.

CLII. To Ceumwell.

MSS. Right Worshipful Master Secretary, in my roost hearty

HonM^ wise I commend me unto you. And where I have sued
Westmin- unto the Eing^s Highness, and obtained of the same his
Crumweirs GrTBce^s letters unto the Mayor of London, in the favour of
Corres- a servant of mine named James Arnold, for his preferment
Original, unto the room of the swordbearership of London, when it
shall happen next to be vacant ; I most heartily desire you,
(insomuch as my said servant hath in the parties beyond
the seas, taken great pains, both with me, Mr. Aliote^ and
with Master Hethe* in the Eing'^s service) that you will
not alonely be good master unto him, in the despatching of
the Eing^s Grace^s said letters, but also at this my request and
instance, to write your favourable letters unto my said Lord
Mayor of London % for the better furtherance of his suit.
Wherein ye shall not alonely show unto me singular plea-
sure, but also bind my said servant thereby, to be both at
your commandment, and also to pray for your long prospe-
rity. Thus our Lord have you in his preservation. At
Otteforde, the last day of June. [1585.]

Your own assured,

Thomas Cantuar.
To the Right Worshipful and my
singular good friend Master Se-
cretary.

' [Probably the excellent and learned Sir Thomas Elyot, who was one
of the ambassadors to the Pope in 1532. See Letter clxxv; Stiype,
Memorials^ vol. i. p. 222, &c.]

• [See Letter lxxxix.1
'[Se '

[See Letter clxxv ; from which it appears that the person applied
to was Sir John Champneis, Lord Mayor A. O. 1534. Nothing seems
to be recorded of him, excepting that " he builded in his house an high
'' tower of brick, the first that ever T heard of in any private man's
*^ house, to overlook his neighbours in tliis city. But this delight of his
<< eye was punished with blindness some years before bis death." Stow,
Survey of London, pp. 137. 581.]

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1535.] LETTERS. 14ff

CLIII. To Ceumwell.

Right Worshipful, ia woet hearty wise I commend me Mss.
unto you. And forasmuch as at my late request youH^^^''
were content to accept Mr. Newman" into your service; I w«tmio-
herc^ send him unto you now, for his further advertisement cmmwell's
of your pleasure in that behalf, not doubting but that you Corrc»-
sh^U be sure both to have of him a right honest and faithful OH^nai,
servant, and also no less diligent service* And therefore I
beseech you, and that the rather at this mine instance, to be
his special good master. Thus heartily fare you well. At
Lambeth, the ISth day of July.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Worshipful and my
singular good friend Master Secre.
tary.

CLIV. To Crumwell.

Ri^t Worshipful Master Secretary, most heartily I haveMSS.
ipe cpmmended unto you : and by this bearer I have sent ^^
you herewith enclosed two letters, one superscribed unto my Westmin-
lord of Wyl*hire, and the other unto me ; which letters I c^mw^r*
have sent with expedition unto you, because they concern Corres-
as^ well you as words of treason unto the King, which trea- Origmail
sou I pray you to detect unto the King^s Highness, which ^*''^*
I am roost sure you would do, although I required you to
the contrary. Moreover I understand the Priory of Wor-
cester shall be shortly void ; which if it so be, I pray you be
good roaster unto Mr. Holbech*, Doctor of Divinity, of the

" [See Letters iv. v. lxiv. lxxviii. It would seem that Crmnweii,
not having procured for Newman the preferment which he desired, took
him into his own service.]

^ [Henry Holbech, alias Rands, is said by Willis to have been Prior
of the Black Canons at Cambridge, and to have succeeded to the Priory
of Worcester on the resignation of More, the 13th of March 1536. He
became Bishop Suffragan of Bristol, the 24th of March 1538; Dean of

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144 LETTERS. [16S6.

house of Crowlande, or else to Dane Richard Gorton, Bache-
lor of Divinity, of the house of Burton-upon-Trent. And
if the Priorship of Worcester shall not be vacant, yet I pray
you be good master unto these two^ when you shall find
places meet for them ; for I know no religious men in Eng>
lande of that habit that be of better learning, judgment, con-
versation, and all qualities meet for an head and master of
an house. Thus our Lord have you ever in his preserva-
tion. From Oteforth, upon the day of the Assumption of our
Lady. [15 Aug. 1585.]

Your own ever assured,
T. Cantuarien.
To mine especial good friend Master
Secretary unto the King's High-
ness.

CLV. To Cbumwell.

MSS. Right Worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend

H^o^ me unto you. And whereas among other of the Eing^s do-

Westmio. minions, within this his realm, there is no part (in my opi-

welVs Cw' ^^^^) that more needeth good instruction of the word of

respond- God, or aid of learned curates to be resident, than doth the

ginai ' town and marches of Calice, considering specially, not

Todd, Z^t/iralonely the great ignorance and blindness as well of the

mer^Yol i ^^^^^ "^w resident there, as of the common and vulgar

p- 137- people, in the doctrine and knowledge of Scripture, but

also having respect unto the universal concourse of aliens

and strangers, which daily diverteth and resorteth thither,

I think that it will no less be a charitable and godly deed

than a singular commodity for this realm, to have in those

parties at the least two learned persons planted and settled

there by the King^s authority in some honest living, whose

sincerity in conversation of living and teaching, shall shortly

Worcester, the 18tli of Jan. 1540 ; Bishop of Rochester, the 3rd of May
1544 ; and Bishop of Lincoln, the 9th of August 1547. He was a " true
'' favourer of the Gospel, and made much use of in the reforming and
** settling of the Church.** Strype, Memariah, vol. ii. p. 469.]

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1685.] LETTERS. 145

(no doubt) clearly extinct and extirpate all manner of hy-
pocrisy, false faith, and blindness of God and his word,
wherein now the inhabitants there be altogether wrapt, to
the no little slander (I fear me) of this realm, and prejudice
of the good and laudable ActsX lately conceived by the
King's Grace and his high Court of Parliament ; which thing
to reform lieth much in you, in case you will but move the
Eing^s Highness, (forasmuch as the collations of the bene-
fices there belongeth unto his Grace,) to give them as they
fall, unto such men as be both able and willing to do God
and his Grace acceptable service in discharging of their
cures.

In consideration hereof, and inasmuch as I am advertised
that the parsonage of St. Peter^s besides Calice, is like
shortly to be void, and in the Kings's Grace'^s disposition, I
beseech you either to obtain the same for Master Garret 2,
whose learning and conversation is known to be right good
and honest, or else for some other as is so able and willing
to discharge the same as he is. Wherein I assure you that
you shall accomplish a right meritorious deed before God,
and deserve condign thanks hereafter of your prince for
promoting of so great a commodity for his realm.

And whereas I am informed, that the Curate of St.
Mary'^s within Calice, intendeth to make suit unto you for
the said benefice ; I pray you not to regard his suit, for I
know that he is nothing meet for that room, specially in this
world of reformation.

Over this I beseech you to be good master unto this
bearer, Henry Tumey, for, as I perceive, his matters be
so grievously taken and borne against him, that without
your only aid and help he is like to lose his living. Surely
I do much marvel of his uncharitable handling, if it be none

y [ Namely, the various Acts against the authority of the Pope,
passed in the Sessions of January and of November 1534. See Letters
cxxviii. cxLv. CL. CLi. Bumet, Rtf, vol. i. p. 291. 318.]

* [I'bomas Garret or Gerrard, *" a forward and busy Lutheran,"
suffered with Barnes and Jerom under the Act of the Six Articles, at
the same time that three papists were executed for denying the Kin^s
supremacy. For an interesting account of his troubles in Oxford in
1526, by his friend Anthony Dalaber, see Foxe, Actt^ SfC. vol. ii. p. 599.]

VOL. I. L

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146 LETTERS. [1686

other than it is reported. Wherefore if you can try out the
truth, and find him not so culpable as it is pretended, you
shall do a right good deed for many considerations to re-
store him to his room and living again. Thus our Lord
have you in his blessed tuition. At Otteforde, the viiith day
of October.

a I have written to the Queen's Grace to obtain the gift
of two the first benefices that shall fall within the marches
of Cales. I pray you commune with the Queetfs Grace
therein, and help thereunto.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Worshipful and my
singular good friend Mr. Secre-
tary.

CLVI. To Ceumwell.

MSS. Right Worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend

Hous^*^ me unto you. And whereas this bearer informeth me, that
Westmin- you are advertised how that I should complain of him unto
well's Co?." ^he King's Council for his preaching : surely I do not a little
respond- marvel that you will think in me such liirhtness to complain
^mai, of him, by whom I know no fault. This is true, that when
I was at the Court, there were some persons which com-
plained unto me of him, to whom I gave less credence, by
cause that afore time I heard good report of him by many
honest, sober, and discreet men ; which thing made me say
these words unto the complainers, * That for so much as I
^ heard divers times so many of both parties, some laud
* and some dispraise him, I could not tell to whom to give
' credence.^ And now again, since I came unto Kent, I have
had complaints of him by divers^ and of them that should
seem honest and credible; and nevertheless divers other
very honest men and of good judgments, which both heard
* [This postscript is in Cranmer's own handwriting.]

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1585.] LETTERS. 147

and understood him, doth report contrary, testifying that
he is nothing culpable of the things laid against him;
wherefore the matter standing in this controversy, I am en-
forced rather to believe them which report well by him
than the other ; for in mine opinion the other commonly be
such persons as little regard the promoting of the Gospel,
but be rather papistical and superstitious. I therefore re-
quire you, for nothing that either hath been reported unto
me of him, or for any thing that the uncertain fame hath
conceived without due proof of him, you will thereby with-
draw your favour from him : for if you should so do, it
should be a great discourage for learned men which favour-
eth the truth, to take any pains on them in setting forth
the same ; whose labours and endeavours were never more
need to be had and esteemed than now at this season. Thus
our Lord have you in his tuition. At Wyngham, 12. day
of October.

Your assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.

To mine especial and singular friend
Master Secretary.

CLVII. To Ceumweljl.

Right Worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend MSS.
me unto you. And whereas the priors of Davyngton didjiJJjJ^
hold of the bishops of Canterbury for the time being, Westmin-
thirty-five acres of wood, parcel of Okenfold wood, and nine^ cell's Cor-
teen acres of land in Davyngton aforesaid, and eight acres ''®*P**°**.
in Tenam, within the County of Kent, which by reason that^ino/.
the said house is dissolved^, ought of right to escheat to
me, as in the right of the see of Canterbury, as this bearer
shall declare unto you more at large : I therefore right
heartily desire you, that the said parcels may not be put ne
specified within the office to be found for the King, so that
by your lawful favour in this behalf I may the better come
*> [See Letter clx.]
1,2

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148 LETTERS. [1536.

to the trial of my right ; wherein you shall bind me to show
unto you such pleasure as lieth in me to do accordingly.
Thus our Lord have you in his tuition. At Forde, the 17.
day of October. [15S5.]

Your assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Worshipful and my
aingnlar good fnend Master Se-
cretary.

CLVIII. To Ceumwell.

MSS. Right Worshipful Master Secretary, in my right hearty

Hoiue ^^ I commend me unto you : even so praying you to be
Westmin- good master for my sake unto Doctor Thomidon c. War-
well's Cor/ den of the manors of Christ Church in Canterbury, and to
J^°^^ the Cellerar of the same. And first, as touching my suit for
ginai. the said Warden of the manors; I beseech you heartily
that he may continue in the said office, like as you have
granted unto the Warden of the manors of St. Swythine in
Manchester.

And as concerning the said Cellerar, which I assure you
is a right honest man, and of such dexterity and wisdom, as
none is like unto him in that house, to whom at your re-
quest I gave the office of Cellerarship ; I beseech you there-
fore, at my request, to grant him some liberty <l to be
taken at some times in the said office for continuance of his
health ; for surely he is corpulent, full of gross humours,
and much sickly ; and if he should still continue within the
house, where is no manner walk at all or good air, his life
should not only be abridged, but the said monastery should
also lack many commodities, which daily do grow and in-
crease by his policy and wisdom by his provision abroad ;

* [See Letter ccxiii.]

** [It was one of Crumweirs loj unctions given in 1535, ** that no
*' monk or brother of the monastery by any means «> forth of the pre-
" cinct of the same.** Burn. Ref. App. vol. i. b. iii. No. 2.]

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1686.] LETTERS. 149

for he is the only jewel and housewife of that house ^.
Wherefore, good Mr. Secretary, I beseech you to tender my
suit, as well concerning the Doctor as the said Cellerar, as I
may deserve it unto you. And thus fare ye heardly welK
At Forde, the 26th day of October.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Worshipful and my sin-
gular friend Master Crumwell.

CLIX. ToCeumwkll.

Right Worshipful, in my right hearty wise I commend MSS.
me unto you. These shall be to desire you to be good^^^*^
master unto this bearer, Henry Tumey^. For notwith- Westmin-
standing your other two favourable letters in his behalf, he J^e[iig ^m?-
is never the better regarded ; wherefore if you be not other- '^"P<>nd-
wise his only aid and help, so that he may by your means gmai.
obtain the Eing^s Grace^s letters according to the tenor
herein enclosed, or in such like manner, he is like to be ut-
terly cast away ; which for many consideraUons in mine opi-

^ [<< Of the Hall and the provision for the same, and the ordering
** thereof, the chief care and oversight was entrusted to the Cellerar,
'< one of the four great Obedientiarii or officers of the monastery ; the

" Sacrista, Caroerarius, and Thesaurarius being the other three

'' The Cellerar, no doubt, was a great man in the college The

" office was indeed so exceeding great and troublesome, that, like as the

<< Prior had his Sub-prior, so had the Cellerar his Sub-cellera-

<< rius to assist him and bear a share with him, (and surely need
<* enough,) in the managing of this burthensome office and weighty pro-
*' vince. He had a large part of principal housing allotted him, all
** contiguous to the Convent-hall and kitchen, (the sphere wherein
<* he chiefly moved,) namely, his hall and lodgings as they were called.
<< His hall, that which is now the Archbishop's for the keeping of his
*' temporal courts. His lodgings lay on the west side of the cloister,
** into which it had a double door, having in the windows tlie name,
" coat of arms, and Rebus or name device of Rich. Dering the Monk,
«* one of them that conspired with the Holy Maid of Kent in Henry
'< VIITs days, and saluted Tyburn for his pains, who in his time was
** Cellerar to the Church." Somner, Antiq, of Canterbury, John Cross
was Cellerar at the dissolution ]

^ [See Letter clv. p. 145.]

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150 LETTERS. [1686.

nion would (specially in this corrupt world) be no good
precedent in setting forth of the truth. I therefore pray
you to continue good master unto him as you have hitherto
done, wherein you shall do a charitable deed worthy to be
rewarded of God ; who preserve you in long health. At
Dover, the 27 day of October.

Your assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Worshipful and my sin-
gular good friend Mr. Secretary.

CLX. To Crumwell.

MSS. After most hearty commendations : this shall be to ad-

Chapter vertise you, that lately I received a letter from you, where-
Westmin- by I understand that you have been advertised, that I, pre-
weU's'co"" ^c^ding title to certiun woods in Okenfold and to certain
respond- lands in Denham lately belonging to the house of 8 Davyng-
^^^i. ton, and my ^ brother in like manner to the benefice some-
time impropried to the same, have lately by our friends
and servants stayed the verdict that should have been given
by the inquest charged for the King upon the same.

First as touching my brother ; of whomsoever you had
the same information, it is utterly untrue; for he stayed
no verdict that should' [have been] given for the King

by the inquest, nor yet made [claim] unto any tithes to
the inquest ; but he said to Antony Ager your servant
privately, that he thought it was his right to have the
tithes, and desired him to inform you of the truth. Never-

8 [Davington or Daunton, a Benedictine nunnery near Feversbam,
was deserted from the poverty of the house, and escheated to the crown
" tanquam locus profanus et dissolutus,** 27 Hen. VIII. i. e. between
April 1535 and April 1536. This Letter tlierefore was written in Nov.
1535. The. priory with its property was granted 35 Uen. VIII. lo Sir
Thomas Cheney. Hasted, History ofKenty vol. ii. p. 726. See Letter

CLVII.]

^ [Edmund Cranmer, Archdeacon of Canterbury and Provost of
Wingham. Strype, Cranmer, p. 24.]

* [This and some otiier parts of the Letter are torn.]

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1586.] LETTERS. 161

theless, Antony Ager carried the tithes away, without any
let or interruption on my brother's behalf. Notwithstand-
ing, my brother trusteth that you will be so good unto him
as to suffer him to have the tithes, if it be his right, accord-
ing to the tenor of your letter.

And as touching mine ovm self, I never went about to
stay the verdict, but would have been as glad that the
quest should have passed according to their consciences, as
they would themselves. Only, being informed by every
man that I heard speak, which were of learning and expe-
rience, that I had a just title, I made my claim, and caused
the quest to be informed of my title, neither staying the
true verdict, (as you were informed,) nor by any means
procuring that the quest should otherwise do than their
consciences should judge right. And where you do write
unto me very friendly, that you would be sorry it should
come to the King^s Highness's knowledge that I should
weigh in any matter against him, I would you saw the
very bottom of my heart herein ; for I trust that I have so
conceived justice into my heart, that I shall not for so small
a matter, nor yet for any other worldly thing, be it never so
great, weigh in any wise contrary to right against the poor-
est subject within the Eing^s Highnesses realm. And I am
assured the King^s Grace^s mind is, not to do wrong imto
any subject he hath ; and if I knew that it were his Grace^s
pleasure to have my title in the said lands, I would be more
desirous to give it unto his Highness, than he can be to have
it. But for so much as I know not but his Grace would
that I should have it, if my title be good, I must needs
make my claim and declare my title ; else I must lose it, be
it never so just.

The i Bishop of Worcester lately wrote unto me in your
name, that I looked upon the King's buinness through my
fingers, doing nothing in that matter wherefore we were sent
for unto ^ Winchester ; and I marvel not that you do so

i [Hugh Latymer, consecrated in Sept. 1535.]
k[«The ^ ' • • - •--•—- 1^

^" The King resolving to vindicate his own right of supremacy
" against the encroachments of popes in his dominions, (especially now

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15« LETTERS. [1635.

think, which knoweth not what I have done. For first,
the day before we took our leave of the King's Highness
to depart home, I drew certain articles touching the Bishop
of Rome, to give only occasion unto preachers that had no
great exercise in that matter, what they might say, and
what titles they might study for to declare. They that
have excellent learning cannot lack matter abundant of
their own inventions; but such as be of mean learning,
have need of some matter to be ministered unto them,
whereof they may take occasion to search their books.
There is not one article of those which I have drawn [but
would suppjeditate sufficient occasion for a whole sermon,
and some of them .... will minister matter sufficient for four
or five sermons, if that [they] be searched to the bottom.
Moreover at the same day I wrote certain doubts to be
moved in the Council ; and because the Council sat no more
before our departure, my labour therein came to none effect,
saving that I delivered a copy of my articles to certain of
the bishops that were then present, thinking it good that
they should procure them to be preached within their dio-
ceses ; which I, with all my chaplains, be doing here in my
diocese with all diligence: a copy of the which, as well
articles as doubts, I have herewith sent unto you, to the
intent that if you think it good, you may add other and take
away what you please, or else make other articles all new,
so that when they shall be devised exactly and with all dili-
gence, you may cause them to be sent into every diocese,
to be preached throughout all the whole realm. And when
the articles shall be with all deliberation absolved, if they
were then read once or more every quarter in every parish
church throughout the realm by the bishop's authority, I
think it should do as much good to persuade the people as
many sermons.

<' the Parliament had restored it to him^) being at Winchester, sent for
'' his bishops thither about Michaelmas, ordering them to go down to
** their respective dioceses, and tliere in their own persons to preach
'' up the regal authority, and to explain to the people the reason of ex-
** eluding the Pope iirom all jurisdiction in these realms.^ Strype,
Cranmer, p. 30. Cranmer gives an account of his own preaching on
this subject, in Letter clxxi.]

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1686.] LETTERS. 168

Thus fare you well, good Mr. Secretary ; and where at
our last being together you willed me to prove your friend-
ship towards me, which I never doubted of, yet I heartily
pray you to declare part of it in my friend Hutton, for
whom whatsoever you shall do, I shall impute it done unto
myself. I would no more deare, but that he were so well
acquainted with you as he is with me, and that you knew
him as I do. Again fare you well, and Almighty God long
preserve you to his gospel, and the wealth of our prince and
his realm. At Ford, the 2d day of November. [1685.]

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
Read further.

^ I thank you heartily for that you be so good master
unto °Dr. Peter, as I am informed that you be. I was fully
minded that he should have been the Dean of mine Arches,
which yet he shall have, if you think it good, and that he
may therewith serve you in that room whereunto you have
appointed him. Herein I pray you that I may be adver-
tised of your mind by this bearer ; for if it be your pleasure,
I shall make him Dean before the next term. I know no
man so meet for it.

To the Right Worshipful and my
singular friend Master Secretary.

CLXI. To Crumwell.

Right Worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend MSS.
me unto you. And albeit, that many times heretofore I ^q^^^
have been fully purposed and minded, most effectually andWe^tmin-
earnestly to write unto you in the favour of this bearer, my

"» [This postscript is in Crancner's own handwriting.]

" [Dr. afterwards Sir William Petre, who managed to continue in

power under Henry VIII, Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, Queen Mary,

and Queen Elizabeth, was appointed by Crumwell one of the visitors

of monasteries in Oct. 1535. Strype, Cranmer ; Holinshed. See Letter

CCLI.]

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164 LETTERS. [1586.

stcr;Crum- friend Sir John Markehani, touching his business and suits
respond- ^^w depending before my Lord Chancellor ; yet inasmuch
cnce. OH-gg h^ h^th always testified unto me that you were muck

ginoi, , •' , ,

better unto him than he could wish or desire, I have de-
ferred the same hitherto, right heartily desiring and praying
you, as you have always been his special good master and
friend, so you will, the rather at this my request, continue,
and specially now touching this his suit before my Lord
Chancellor, so that by your favourable word he may be the
more indifferently heard, and have the sooner an end in the
same ; for I assure you he is the gentleman, whom, amongs
all other, I never knew none that hath ordered himself so
uprightly in quietness amongs his neighbours within his
country, as he hath ever done, or that is universally better
beloved, saving that he is only hated of him whom no man
can favour or love. I therefore eftsoons beseech you to help
that he be discharged of this his unquiet vexation and
trouble, none other ways but as it shall seem to you just so
to do; wherein you shall not alonely show unto me no
small pleasure, but also be sure to do for a right honest gen-
tleman. Thus our Lord preserve you. At Forde, the iii. day
of November.

o I have known the good conversation and indifferency of
Sir John Markam in his country above 30 years, and that
causeth me the bolder to write in his favour, for else I love
not to intermeddle myself in other men'^s causes. Also Sir
William Merynge hath desired me to write unto you in his
favour, whose letter P I have sent unto you, commending his

® [This postscript was written by Cranmer himself.]

P [Sit W. Merynge*s letter is subjoined.

'< Most Reverend and Honourable Father in God and my most sin-
'* gular good Lord, in my most humble and lowliest manner I recom-
*^ mend me unto your good lordship : most humbly beseeching your
" Grace to be good and gracious lord to me now ; for so it is, that my
'' lord the Bishop of Lincoln [John Longland] and his ungracious ser-
" vant Foster, his baily of Newarke, hath delivered me a subpoena, to
" appear in the Chancery quindena Michelis next coming, upon pain of
** an c'i.; and God knoweth, if I should lose all the land and goods that
" I have in the world, I may neither ride nor go but with two staves
'' like two crutches ; and farther do I not labour, but in my poor house

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1636.]

LETTERS. 166

cause also unto you, for I know his impotency this five or six
years. M eseemeth it is a strange thing that the King^s jus-
tices of peace should be handled as the adversaries of these
men pretend, unless some manifest and evident cause were
against them. I am informed that the baily of Newarke
boasteth, that Sir John Markam shall be committed unto
ward before he make his answer.

Your assured ever,
T. Cantuarien.
To mine especial good friend Master
Secretary this be delivered.

CLXII. To CauMWELL.

Right Worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend me MSS.
unto you. These shall be to signify unto you, that at my ^^^^'
being at ChrisOs Church in Canterbury this last week, I WestmiD-

8ter;
*' to my chapel and to my garden ; and when I go in my waggon to CrumweU's
** Newarke to do my duty in serving the King's Most Noble Grace at Corres-
*' his Sessions there ; and God He knoweth what pain that is to me. I pondcnce.
" suppose, of my conscience, no poor wretch in this world doth labour Original.
** with such pain as I do ; and now to have a subpcena, to answer unto
'' snch mattera as I never offended in, nor never gave cause unto the
** Bishop of Lincoln, nor unto Foster his baily, nor never did them any
** manner of displeasure, but that I did my duty in serving the King s
** Most Noble Grace at his Sessions, without that ever I did or caused
** thing to be done there contrary to the King's laws; and that if I
^' should die this hour, I would take it death as I would answer before
** God. Thus my own most singular good lord, I beseech your lord-
** ship to be good and gracious lord to roe, and to show my Lord Chan-
*^ cellor and Master Secretary what case I am in, and to require them to
** be good lord and master to me, and to the poor town of Newarke,
*' which without your and their good lordships and mastership the
" poor town of Newarke is and shall l>e utterly destroyed and undone
'' for ever ; for such bribery and such polling as is there, is not within any
'' town in Kngland this day. And if they can prove that ever I did to
'' Foster, or caused to be done, contrary to the King's laws, then let me
" be punished to the example of all others. Thus I can no more, but
'* to my little power I am and ever shall be during my life natural your
" true headman, as knoweth the Holy Trinity, who ever preserve your
" good lordship. From Morynge, the 6th day of October, by the hand
*< of your old headman, William Morynge.
*' To his most Reverend and HoDOurable Father

<* ID God, aod my most singular good lord,

*< ray Lord Archhinhop of Canterbury's good

•« Grace. **]

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166 LETTERS. [1685.

was desired to interpretate one article of the late Injunctions,
giving in the King'^s Grace^s Visitation, which concemeth the
dimission, as well of such as were professed under twenty
years of age, as also other that be now under twenty-four.
And although the words be so plain, that in mine opinion
there needeth no interpretation, yet forasmuch as doubts be
made therein, I will not take upon me to make any expo-
sition herein but such as you shall make, by whose author-
ity the Injunctions were given.

The article is this^ : ** Item, quod nuUus deinceps per-
** mittatur profiteri regularem observantiam, aut vestem sus-
^^ cipere religionis per confratres hujus domus gestari soli-
^' tam, nisi vicesimum suae setatis annum compleverit. Et si
^^ qui jam sub vicesimo anno completo in veste hujusmodi
*^ infra banc domum jam inducti sunt, et ^ qui alii sub vi-
*^ cesimo quarto anno existentes discedere velint, illam quam«
^* primum se exuant. £t magister hujus domus suo sumptu
" vestibus secularibus et honestis ad praesens omet, et ad ami-
^^ cos suos chariores cum viaticis competentibus transmit-
** tcndos curet.*"

The first doubt is this, whether such persons only shall
be dimissed of their religion as were professed under twenty
years of age, and be now under twenty -four, or else both
they that be now under twenty-four, though they were
professed after twenty, and also they that were profess-
ed under twenty, though they be now above twenty-four.
The second doubt is, where the Prior is commanded to ap-
parel those that shall be dimissed in secular habits, and to
send them unto their chief friends upon his proper costs
and charges ; whether he shall take from them their wages,
and such money and stuff as they have given them by their

1 [Tliis article does not appear in the Injunctions to Monasteries
printed by Burnet, Ref. vol. i. b. iii. No. 2, from the Cotton Library.
The following is the only direction which is there given on this point.
** Also, that no man be suffered to profess, or to wear the habit of reli*
** gion in this house, ere he be twenty-four years of age complete; and that
^* they entice nor allure no man with suasions and blandishments to
'* take the religion upon him.*' But there is a provision at the end of
the document, for adding ** other spiritual injunctions, as the place and
" nature of the comperts shall require.'']

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1686.] LETTERS. 167

fiiends^ or spared of their wages, or that he shall take all
manner of things from them, and send them to their friends
with only their apparel and necessary expenses. Whatso-
ever interpretation you shall give hereunto, I shall see it put
in execution, desiring you that I may be certified of your
mind by this bearer. ITius our Lord preserve you in health.
At Canterbury, the 18th day of November. [1686.]

Your assured ever,
T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Worshipful and my
special friend Master Secretary.

CLXIII. ToCeumwell.

After most hearty commendations : this shall be to signify Mss.
unto you, that my servant Kylligrewe showed me that your ^"'^^
mind was, I should send unto you one of my servants whom Westmin-
I trusted as myself, by whom you might communicate untoc^^<y]j.,
me your mind in certain things which you have to say unto Con-es-
me. And to satisfy your mind herein I have sent unto you Orig^^i,
my chaplain Master Champion ', who hath a head able to^^^"
receive all that you put into it, and he is of that trust, that
whatsoever you shall say unto him, you may impute it said
only unto myself. By him also I have sent letters to be de-
livered unto the King's Highness by you or by him, as you
shall think good. Thus Almighty God have you alway in
his preservation. From Forde, the 22nd day of November.

Your assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To mine especial good friend Master
Crmnwell^ chief Secretary unto
the King's Highness.

» [See respecting Champion, Letters cxlvii. clxvii. ccxxviiiy note,
ccxxxix. Bat nothing can prove the high place which he held in the
Archbishop's esteem more thoroughly than the expressions here ap-
plied to him. On the foundation of the new Chapter at Canterbury,
m April 1542, he became one of the first prebendanes, but died shortly
afterwards. At his burial, *' Rafe, the bell-ringer of Christ Church,
<' poured hot coab on him in his grave, to the great slander of the said
" br. Champion, as though he had been an heretic worthy burning.''
Strype, Cranmer, p. 102. Le Neve, Fasti.]

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158 LETTERS. [1636.

CLXIV. To Cbumwell.

Cott. MSS. Right Worshipful, in my right hearty manner I commend

F.^'in!*"' ™^ ""^ y®" • lil^^wise thanking you for the good favour

fol. 79. b. which ye bear to this bearer Doctor Mallet', my chaplain,

declaring your benevolence to him in his preferment unto

the Mastership of Mychel House* in Cambridge, for the

which your goodness, as I well perceive, he is right sorry

that he is not of ability pay rtly to recompense the same ; how-

beit I beseech you therein to accept his good mind and heart,

which I know he beareth to you unfeignedly, reknowledging

thankfully your favourable mind declared effectuously to his

preferment.

And where it is appointed by the King^s Grace's Visita-
tion u, that he should bring up to you or yours all manner
statutes, muniments, and writings, that appertaineth unto
his College and to the foundation thereof, before Candlemas
next, I pray you, inasmuch as I have occupied him here in
preaching within my diocese all this quarter last past, and
have appointed him to preach at PauVs Cross the Sunday
immediately before Candlemas, that you will give him liberty

* [Francis Mallet succeeded Nicholas Wilson as Master of Michael
House in 1533. He was Vice Chancellor in 1536 and 1540. He is
said by Fuller to be the same Dr. Mallet, who as chaplain to the Prin-
cess Mary was imprisoned for saying mass under Edward VI, and was
afterwards preferred by her to the Deanery of Lincoln. Respecting his
subscription to the Articles of 1 562, see Strype, Annals, vol.i; and Lamb,
Hutorical Account of the XXXIX. Articles, p. 21.]

* [In 1546, Hen. VIII. " seized Michael House mto his hands ; and
" Kmg's Hall, the best landed foundation in the University ; also he
" took Fistewick's Hostle, an house unendowed. Of these three he
<< compounded one fair college, dedicating it to the holy and undivided
" Trinity, and endowing it with plentiful revenues." Fuller, History of
Cambridge.']

" [Dr. Legh, as deputy to Crumwell, visited Cambridge the 22nd of
Oct. 1535. " In obedience to his injunctions, the whole University be-
'' fore Candlemas Day next ensuing, surrendered to the King all their
" charters, donations, statutes, popes' bulls, and papistical muniments,
" with an exact rental of their lands, and inventory of their goods. The
" Vice Chancellor and Senior Proctor went up to London and deliver-
" ed them to Secretary Crumwell, Chancellor of the University.** In
bis custody " they slept well nigh a whole year,*' when " it was thought
" fit to restore them again, without the loss of a shoe-latchet.** Fuller,
Hist, of Cambridge.]

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1686.] LETTERS. 169

till a fortnight after Candlemas day. And by that time he
shall be ready to accomplish his injunction in that behalf.
Over this, I heartily desire you to be so good unto him, as to
hear him and favour his reasonable request, in a matter con.
ceming not only his College but also the quietness of the
whole University ; which thing if you stay not, he fears shall
turn both to the hinderance of that good order which he
hath already set in his own House, and also to the disquiet-
ness of the University. Thus heartily fare ye well. At
KuoUe, the xviiith day of Januarii. [1686.]

Your own assured ever,
T. Cantuarien.

CLXV. To King Henby VIII.

Please it your most noble Grace to be advertised, that upon MSS.
Friday last passed, one called John Millis of Chevenyng, ^^^^^
opened a book in the church, wherein he found this schedule Wcstmin-
which I send now unto your Grace herein enclosed, in the originaL
which is written ^^ Rex tanquam tyrannus opprimit popu-
*^ lum suum.^ Then the said John Milles called two or
three of hb neighbours unto him, and consulted whose hand
the said writing should be of, but they could not divine who
did write it; howbeit they suspect one Sir Thomas Bas-
churche^, priest, sometime secretary unto the Bishop of Can-
terbury my predecessor, whom I suppose your Grace doth
know. This same day in the morning, the said Sir Thomas
of his own mind came unto the foresaid John Myles, and con-
fessed the same schedule to be of his making and writing.

Here I have showed unto your Grace the s^d Sir
Thomas^ fact and his confession, according as by mine alle-
giance and oath I am bounden. If it please the saipe to
hear also some of his qualities, I shall inform your Grace,
partly as I know^ and partly as I am informed.

At April next coming it shall be three years since the
said Sir Thomas fell into despair, and thereby into a sick-
* [See Letter xxxvii.]

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160 LETTERS. [1686.

ness^ so that he was in peril of death. Of his sickness with-
in a quarter of a year after he recovered, but of his de-
spair he never yet recovered, but siuth he is assured
that he shall be perpetually damned. My chaplains and
divers other learned men have reasoned with him, but
no man can bring him in other opinion, but that he, like
unto Esau, was created unto damnation ; and hath divers
times and sundry ways attempted to kill himself, but by di-
ligent looking unto he hath hitherto been preserved y. A
little before Christmas last, as I am credibly informed by
honest men of the same parish, a priest deceived him of
twenty nobles, and ever since he hath been much worse than
ever he was before ; so that upon St. Thomas' Day in Christ-
mas he had almost hanged himself with his own tippet, and
said to certain persons the same day, as soon as high mass
was done he would proclaim your Grace a traitor, which
nevertheless he did not. And within this ten or twelve days
he had almost slain himself with a pen knife. And this
same day in the morning when he confessed the foresaid
schedule to be made and written by him, John Mylles
said unto him, that he supposed your Grace would pardon
his offence considering what case he was in. Then he in a
rage said, ^ If I cannot be rid this way, I shall be rid an -
* other way.^

Now have I declared unto your Grace as well the fact,
as the state and condition of the said Sir Tliomas Baschurche,
that your Grace may order him after your most gracious
pleasure, whereof I beseech your Grace that I may be as-
certained by this bearer my chaplain.

I was purposed this week according to my duties to have
waited upon your Grace, but I am so vexed with a catarrh
and a rheum in my head, that not only it should be dan-
gerous unto me, but also noisome unto your Grace, by rea-
son of extreme coughing and excreations which I cannot
eschew. As soon as I shall be delivered hereof, I shall at-
tend upon your Highness, by the grace of Almighty God ;

y pThus far this Letter has been printed by Mr. Todd, UfeqfCranm,
vol. 1. p. 200.]

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1686.] LETTERS. 161

who ever have your most noble Grace in his most blessed
tuition and government From Knoll, the xviiith day of
January.

Your Grace^s most humble
beadsman and chaplain,

T. Cantuarien.

CLXVI. ToCrumwell.
Right Worshipful, in my most hearty wise I commend MSS.
me unto you. And (as one that is bold many times to trouble hoiScT'
you with suits both for myself and my friends, which natu- W«ta>>"-
rally, yea and by the law of God, I am bound to do) in my weu's Cor-
right heartiest wise desire you to be so good master unto "^^"i^.
this bearer my brother-in-law 2, (who is now the clerk of ginal,
my kitchen, and for whom I spake unto you yesterday at the
Court,) as to get him the farm or lease of the Priory of Shel-
forde, or of some other house of religion in Nottinghame-
shire, where his native country is, which now are by the
Act of Parliament suppressed^ ; and he shall find the Kings's
Grace sufficient sureties for the payment of the rents and
revenues thereunto belonging. Thus right heartily fare
you well. At Lambeth, the SS day of March. [1536.]

^ I pray you let not this suit be prejudicial to my servant
Frauncis Basset, who would gladly be your servant, but
that I may also continue a suitor unto you for him.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Worshipful Master Se-
cretary unto the King's Highness.

' rPerhaps Harold Rosell, of Radcliffe on Trent, See Letter xli.]
^ fXhe Act of Parliament for the suppression of religious houses
spending two hundred pounds per annum or under, was passed in Fe-
bruary 1536, (Bum. E^. vol. i. p. 388.) and was applicable to the Au-
gustine Priory of Shelford, which possessed property, according to
Speed, of the annual value of 151 pounds 14 shillings. The site and
the greatest part of its possessions were granted to Michael Stanhope,
39 and 31 Hen. VIII. Tanner, Noiitia Monast.]
i> [This postscript is in Cranmer's handwriting.]

VOL. I. M

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162 LETTERS. [16S6.

CLXVII, To Ceumwell.
MSS. Right Worshipful, in my right hearty wise I commend

HouBe^ me unto you. These shall be to de^re you to give cre-
Westmin- dence unto this bearer Mr. Champion S niy chaplain, touch-
well's Co™" i"g such things as he shall open and declare unto you;
respond- and that you will signify unto me by him part of your
ginai. mind in that behalf. Thus heartily fare you well. At
Lambeth, the S9 day of March.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien«

To the Right Honourable and my
singular good friend Master Secre-
tary.

CLXVIII. To Ceumwell.

MSS. Alas, Master Secretary, you forget Master Smyth ^ of the

How^ Exchequer, who is near consumed with thought and pensive-
Westmin- ness : even pity moveth me to rue the man (if I could) for
Crumwell'shis son^s sake chiefly, and also for his own. I would give a
^^^^ great part of that I have to help him ; and where I cannot
Ori^nai. myself, I make all my friends for him : so importune I am
g^^, upon my friends from my friend his cause, I suppose more
than I would be for mine own, or ever was : ruth and im-
portunity of my friend maketh me so vehement against mine
own nature. I have sent this bearer only to wait upon you
until you have an answer of the King, and to put you in
continual remembrance, for much business maketh you to*
forget many things, and yet I wonder that you remember
so many things as you do. I was ever hitherto cold, but
now I am in a heat with the cause of reli^on, which goeth
all contrary to mine expectation, if it be as the fame goeth ;
wherein I would wonder fain break my mind unto you,

« [See Letter cLtiii.l

d hphis may perhaps nave been John Smith, father of the celebrated
Sir Thomas Smith who about this time was distinguishinir himself by
his lectures on Greek at Cambridgft. See Strype, Life of Smth.]

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1686.] LETTERS. 168

and if you please, I will come to such place as you shall ap-
point for the same purpose. Thus He that made you, ever
keep you. From Knol, the 22 day of April.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very loving friend^ Mr. Se-
cretary.

CLXIX. To King Hbnry VIII c.

Pleaseth it your most noble Grace to be advertised, that Cott. MSS.
at your Grace^s commandment by Mr. Secretary his letters 9?**** ^' **
written in your Grace^s name, I came to Lamehith yester- Original.
day, and do there remain to know your Grace^s further „ *^^ *
pleasure. And forsomuch as without your Graces com- Re/. vol, I
mandment I dare not, contrary to the contents of the said ^' ^^'

1 ** * ^ r^ 1 Todd, lA/e

letters, presume to come unto your Grace s presence ; never- <>/ otm-
theless, of my most bounden duty, I can do no less than*"^*^®^''*
most humbly to desire your Grace, by your great wisdom
and by the asfflstance of God''s help, somewhat to suppress
the deep sorrows of your Grace^s heart, and to take all ad-
versities of Grod^s hands both patiently and thankfully.

I cannot deny but your Grace hath great causes many
ways of lamentable heaviness ; and also, that in the wrong-
ful estimation of the world your Grace^s honour of every
part is so highly touched, (whether the things that com-
monly be spoken of be true, or not,) Uiat I remember not
that ever Almighty Grod sent unto your Grace any like
occasion to try your Grace^s constancy throughout, whether
your Highness can be content to take of God'^s band as well
things displeasant as pleasant. And if He find in your
most noble heart such an obedience unto his will, that your

.! '

® [For the circuiustances under which this Letter was written, and
for some of the discordant judgments which have been passed on it,
see Burnet, Ref, vol. i. p. 402 ; Lineard, Hist, of Engl, vol. vi. p. 319.
8vo; Turner, Modem Hut, of Engl, vol. li. pp. 436. 442. 8vo;
Mackintosh, Hiit. of Engl, in Lardner's Cabinet Cycloptedia, vol. ii.
p. 194.]

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164 LETTERS. [1686.

Grace, without murmuration and overmuch heaviness, do
accept all adversities, not less thanking Him than when all
things succeeded after your Grace'^s will and pleasure, nor
less procuring his glory and honour ; then I suppose your
Grace did never thing more acceptable unto Him, since your
first governance of this your realm. And moreover, your
Grace shall give unto Him occasion to multiply and increase
his graces and benefits unto your Highness, as He did unto
his most faithful servant Job ; unto whom, after his great
calamities and heaviness, for his obedient heart and willing
acceptation of God'^s scourge and rod, addidit ei Dominus
cuncta dupUda.

And if it be true that is openly reported of the Queen^s
Grace, if men had a right estimation of things, they should
not esteem any part of your Grace's honour to be touched
thereby, but her honour only to be clearly disparaged.
And I am in such a perplexity, that my mind is^ dean
amazed ; for I never had better opinion in woman, than I
had in her ; which maketh me to think, that she should not
be culpable. And again, I think your Highness would not
have gone so far, except she had surely been culpable.
Now I think that your Grace best knoweth, that next unto
your Grace I was most bound unto her of all creatures
living. Wherefore I most humbly beseech your Grace to
sufier me in that, which both Gkxl's law, nature, and also
her kindness bindetb me unto; that is, that I may with
your Grace's favour wish and pray for her, that she may
declare herself inculpable and innocent. And if she be
found culpable, conndering your Grace's goodness towards
her, and from what condition your Grace of your only mere
goodness took her and set the crown upon her head ; I re-
pute him not your Grace's faithful servant and subject, nor
true unto the realm, that would not desire the offence with-
out mercy to be punished to the example of all other. And
as I loved her not a little for the love which I judged her
to bear towards God and his Gospel ; so, if .she be proved
culpable, there is not one that loveth God and his Gospel
that ever will favour her, but must hate her above all

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1686.] LETTERS. 166

other; and the more they favour the Grospel^ the more
they will hate her ; for then there was never creature in our
time that so much slandered the Gospel. And God hath
sent her this punishment, for that she feignedly hath pro-
fessed his Gospel in h^ mouth, and not in heart and
deed.*

And though she have offended so, that she hath de-
served never to be reconciled untp your Grace^s favour;
yet Almighty God hath manifoldly declared his goodness
towards your Grace, and never offended you. But your
Grace, I am sure, knowledgeth, that you have offended
Him. Wherefore I trust that your Grace will bear no less
entire favour unto the truth of the Gospel^^ than you did
before : for so much as your Grace^s favour to the Gt)spel
was not led by affection unto her, but by zeal unto the
truth. And thus I beseech Almighty Grod, whose Gospel
he hath ordained your Grace to be defender of, ever to pre-
serve your Grace from all evil, and give you at the end the
promise of his Grospel. From Lambeth, the third day of
May. [1686.]

After I had written this l^ter unto your Grace, my Lord
Chancellor, my Lord of Oxford, my Lord of Sussex, and
my Lord Chamberlain of your Grace*s house, sent for me
to come unto the star-chamber; and there declared unto
me such things as your Grace^s pleasure was they should
make me privy unto. For the which I am most bounden
imto your Grace. And what communication we had toge-
ther, I doubt not but they will make the true report thereof
unto your Grace. I am exceeding sorry that such faults
can be proved by the Queen, as I heard of their relation.
But I am and ever shall be your faithful subject.

Your Grace^s most humble subject
and chaplain,

T. Cantuariensis.

M 3

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166 LETTERS. [1636.

CLXX, ToCrumwell.
MSS. My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I

Hrnwe''^ commend me unto your lordship. And whereas the bearer
Westmin- hereof, Mr. Hambleton^, upon no consideration else, as I
C^nmweirs understand, is put from his lands and possession in Scot-
Corres- land, but for that he favoureth the truth of Grod'^s word ;
Original, &nd is, besides his birth s, a man of right good living and
Todd, lAfe honest conversation, and of gentill ^ behaviour, by whom
merlYoXA, the word of God in this his exile hath no slander, but
P-'So- is the rather to be had in price and esteemed of other,
considering that he so willingly hath borne his adversity :
these shall be to desire you, my lord, to be a mediator
unto the Eing^s Highness for him, that being of this
good judgment, he may have of his Grace some com-
petent living for his degree. Which, in mine opinion, shall
not only be a good and an acceptable deed unto Gk)d,
but also much redound to the King^s Grace^s honour,
so to consider the necessity of a gentleman for Gk)d''s
quarrel; and besides this, your lordship for your part
cannot be unrewarded of God for the same. Thus Al-

^ [This was probably James Hamilton, brother of Patrick Hamilton
the first martyr of the reformation in Scotland. Foxe, after eivini;
a detailed account of the execution of Patrick Hamilton at St. Andrew's
in 1538, relates farther, that some years afterwards his brother James
Hamilton, and his sister Catharine the spouse of the Captain of
Dunbar, with some others, '' were called to the Abbey Church of
*' Holyrood House in Edinburgh, by James Hay Bishop of Rosse, in

*' the presence of King James the Fifth James Hamilton was

'< accused as one that maintained the opinion of Master Patrick his
" brother. To whom the King gave counsel to depart, and not to
<' appear, for in case he appeared, he could not help him ; because the
'' bishop had persuaded him that the cause of heresy did in no case
'' appertain unto him. And so James fled, and was condemned as an
** heretic, and all his goods and lands confiscate, and dbposed unto
'' others.'' Catharine his sister appeared on the scaffold, and supported
a long argument with John Spens, a lawyer; but at last tlie Kin|g
'^ called her unto him, and caused her to recant, because she was his
<^ aunt, and she escaped." Foxe, AcU^ SfC, vol. ii. p. 238.1

e [Tliis allusion to Mr.Hambleton's birth, agrees well with the suppo-
sition that he was the James Hamilton mentioned in the foregoine note,
who, as it may be there seen, was nearly related to the King of Scot-
land.]

*^ [As the meaning of this word is not perfectly expressed either by
gentle or genteel, the old orthography has been retained.]

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1686.] LETTERS. 167

mighty God have your good lordship in his blessed tui-
tion. At Aldington > the 9th day of August.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right HonouraUe and my
singular good lord> my Lord
Privy Seal.

CLXXI. To King Hekey VIII k.

Pleaseth it your Grace to be advertised, that where^ as Cotton.

well by your Grace^s special letters, dated the third day of ^j^* ^ ^^

June* in the xxviith year of your Grace^s most noble reign, f. 232.

as also by mouth in Wynchester at Michaelmas last past"*, ^^^mh.

your Grace commanded all the prelates of your realm, thatstrype,

they with all acceleration and expedition should do their di- p"**""^*
,. . 1 . 1. i. 11 1 App.No.

ligence every one m his diocese, fully to persuade yournii.

people of the Rishop of Rome his authority, that it is but a

false and unjust usurpation, and that your Grace, of very

right and by God^s law, is the supreme head of this Church

of England, next immediately unto God ; I, to accomplish

* [Near Ashford in Kent, ** where was a seat for the Archbishop, a
** park, and a chase for deer.^ Strype, Cranm, p. 282. It was in-
cluded in the great exchange with the King, Nov. 3. 1537. See Letter
cxciix. note.]

^ [Some writers have named 1534 as the date of this letter. Strype
(CranmeTf p. 39.) and Mr. Todd {Life of Cranmer, vol. i. p. 110.) fix
1535. But the Michaelmas mentioned in the first sentence, as might
be supposed from the context, and as is proved beyond question by
Letter clx, was the Michaelmas of 1535 ; and the letter therefore must
have been written in 1536. There can also be no doubt respecting the
time, when the King sent his order to the bishops to preach against the
papsd supremacy; for this order is here positively stated to have been
dated the third of June, 27 Hen. VIII. i. e. 1535. Yet both of the above-
named writers, together with Wilkins, have supposed a proclamation of
the 9th of June, which refers to it, to liave been issued in 1534. Strype,
Memorials, vol. i. p, 168. Todd, Life of Cranmer, vol. i. p. 110. Wil-
kins, Concilia, vol. iii. p. 772. This is the more extraordinary) as a do-
cument of the 25th of June, of a similar character, printed by Burnet,
contains in itself evidence of its date in an allusion to the deaths of
Bishop Fisher and Sir Thomas More, who suffered on the 22d of June
1535. See Burnet, Ref. vol. iii. p. 188, and Append, book ii. No. 32.]

' [Sec Letter cl.] "» [See Letter clx. note (k).]

M 4*

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168 LETTERS- [1586.

ydur Grace's commandmeiit, inoontineiit upon my return
from Wynchester, (knowing that all the country about Ot«
ford and Knol, where my most abode was, were sufficiently
instructed in those matters aL-eady,) came up into these
parts of East Kent, only by preaching to persuade the
people in the said two articles: and in mine own church
at Canterbury, because I was informed that that town in
those two points was least persuaded of all my diocese, I
preached there two sermons myself; and as it then chanced,
Dr. Leighton was present at my first sermon, being then
your Grace^s visitor^. Of whom if it so please your Grace
you may hear the report what I preached.

The scope and effect of both my sermons stood in three
things. First, I declared that the Bishop of Rome was
not Grod^s vicar in earth, as he was taken. And although
it is so taught these three or four hundred years, yet it is
done by means of the Bishop of Rcnne, who compelled men
by oaths so to teach, to the maintenance of his authority^
contrary to Grod^s word. And here I declared by what
means and craft the Bishops of Rome obtained such usurped
authority.

Second, Because the see of Rome was called ^^ Sancta
*< Sedes Romana,^ and the Bishop was called << Sanctissi-
** mus Papa ;^ and men^s consciences peradventure could
not be quiet to be separated from so holy a place, and
from Gtxl^s most holy vicar ; I showed the people, that this
thing ought nothing to move them, for it was but a holiness
in name ; for indeed there was no such holiness at Rome.
And hereupon I took occaaon to declare his glory, and the
pomp of Rome, the covetousness, the unchaste living, and
the maintenance of all vices.

Third, I spake against the Bishop of Rome his laws;
which he calleth " Divinas Leges'' and " Sacros Canones,"
and makes them equal with Gkxl's law. And here I declared
that many of the laws were very contrary ; and some of

° [This agaiu confirms the dates given above ; for it was in Oct.
1535, that Leighton was first employ^ as visitor of monasteries. Bur-
nety Ref. vol. i. p. 369.]

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1636.] LETTERS. 169

them which were good and laudable, yet they were not of
such holiness as he would make them ; that is, to be taken
as Grod^s laws, or to have remission of sins by observing
them. And here I said, that so many of his laws as were
good, men ought not to contemn or despise them, and wil-
fully to break them ; for those that be good your Grace
had received as laws of your realm, until such time as
others should be made. And therefore as laws of your
realm they must be observed, and not contemned.

And here I spake as well of the ceremonies of the Church
as of the foresaid laws ; that they ought neither to be re-
jected or despised, nor yet to be observed with this opinion,
that they of themselves make men holy, or that they remit
dns. For seeing that our sins be remitted by the death of
our Saviour Christ Jesus, I said it was too much injury to
Christ, to impute the remisaon of our nns to any laws or
ceremonies of man^s making. Nor the laws and ceremonies
of the Church at their first making were ordained for that
intent. But as the common laws of your Grace^s realm be
not made to remit sins, nor no man doth observe them for
that intent, but for a common commodity, and for a good
order and quietness to be observed among your subjects ;
even so were the laws and ceremonies first instituted in the
Church for a good order, and for remembrances of many
good things, but not for remisoon of our sins. And though
it be good to observe them well for that intent they were
first ordained ; yet it is not good, but a contumely unto
Christ, to observe them with this opinion, that they remit
Ans ; or that the very bare observation of them in itself b a
holiness before God: although they be remembrances of
many holy things, or a disposition unto goodness. And
even so do the laws of your Graoe^s realm dispose men unto
justice, unto peace, and other true and perfect holiness.
Wherefore I did conclude for a general rule, that the people
ought to observe them, as they do the laws of your Grace^s
realm, and with no more opinion of holiness, or remission
of sdn, than the other common laws of your Grace^s realm.

Though my two sermons were long, yet I have written

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170 LETTERS. [1686.

briefly unto your Highness the sum of them both. And I
was informed by sundry reports, that the people were glad
that they heard so much as they did ; until such time as the
Prior of the Black Friars <> at Canterbury preached a sermon,
as it was thought and reported, clean contrary unto all the
three things which I had preached before.

For as touching the first part, which I had preached
against the erroneous doctrine of the Bishop of Rome his
power ; which error was, that by God'^s law he should be
God'^s vicar here in earth ; the Prior would not name the
Bishop of Rome, but under colour spake generally, that
the Church of Christ never erred.

And as touching the second part, where I spake of the
vices of the Bishops of Rome ; and thereto the Prior said
that he would not slander the Bishops of Rome. And he
said openly to me in a good audience, that he knew no vices
by none of the Bishops of Rome. And he said also openly,
that I preached uncharitably, when I said that these many
years I had daily prayed unto God that I might see the
power of Rome destroyed ; and that I thanked God that
I had now seen it in this realm. And yet in my sermon I
declared the cause wherefore I so prayed. For I said, that
I perceived the see of Rome work so many things contrary
to God'^s honour and the wealth of this realm, and I saw
no hope of amendment so long as that see reigned over us ;
and for this cause only I had prayed unto God con-
tinually, that we might be separated from that see ; and for
no private malice or displeasure that I had either to the
Bishop or see of Rome. But this seemed an uncharitable
prayer to the Prior, Uiat the power of Rome should be de-
stroyed.

And as for the third part^ where I preached against the
laws of the Bishop of Rome; that they ought not to be
taken as God'^s laws, nor to be esteemed so highly as he

<» [They were called " Dominican, Black, and Preachine Friars :
'* Preaching, because they were the only preachers of all the fnare:
'* Black, because of their habit, which was a black cope and cowl
*' over a white coat : Dominican, because St. Dominic was their
** founder.^ Somner, ArUiq. of Cant]

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1536.] LETTERS. 171

would have them ; the Prior, craftily leaving out the name
of the Bishop of Rome, preached, that the laws of the
Church be equal with God^s laws. These things he preached,
as it is proved both by sufficient witness and also by his own
confession.

I leave the judgment hereof unto your Grace and to
your Council, whether this were a defence of the Bishop of
Rome, or not. And I only, according to my bounden
duty, have reported the truth of the fact. But in mine
opinion, if he had spoken nothing else, yet whosoever say-
eth, that the Church never erred, maintuneth the Bishop
of Rome his power. For if that were not erroneous that
was taught of his power. That he is Christ^s vicar in earth,
and by God^s law head of all the world, spiritual and tem-
poral ; and that all people must believe that de necessiiaie
scUiUis; and that whosoever doeth any thing against the
see of Rome is an heretic ; and that he hath authority also
in purgatory; with such other many false things, which
were taught in times past to be articles of our faith : if
these things were not erroneous, yea, and errors in the faith^
then must needs your Grace^s laws be erroneous, that pro-
nounce the Bishop of Rome to be of no more power by
God''s law than other bishops j and them to be tnutors that
defend the contrary. This is certain, that whosoever saith
that the Church never erred, must either deny that the
Church ever taught any such errors of the Bishop of Rome
his power, and then they speak against that which all the
world knoweth, and all books written of that matter these
three or four hundred years do testify ; or else they must
say, that the scdd errors be none errors, but truths. And
then it is both treason and heresy.

At my first examination of him, which was before Christ-
mas, he said, that he preached not against me, nor that I
had preached any thing amiss. But now he saith, that I
preached amiss in very many things, and that he purposely
preached against meP; and this he reporteth openly: by

P [This change may have arisen firom the execution of Anne Bolevn
in the preceding May, which tended greatly to raise the spirits of the

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172 LETTERS. [1686.

which words I am marvellously slandered in these parts.
And for this cause I beseech your Grace, that I may not
have the judgment of the cause, for so much as he taketh
me for a party ; but that your Grace would commit the
hearing thereof unto my Lord Privy Seal^, or else to asso-
ciate unto me some other persons at your Grace^s pleasure,
that we may hear the case jointly together.

If this man, who hath so highly offended your Grace,
and preached against me openly, being Ordinary and Metro-
politan of this province ; and that in such matters as con-
cern the misliving and the laws of the Bishop of Rome ; and
that also within mine own church ; if he, I say, be not
looked upon, I leave unto your Grace's prudence to expend
what example this may be unto others with like colour to
maintain the Bishop of Rome his authority ; and also of
what estimation I shall be reputed hereafter, and what cre-
dence shall be ^ven unto my preaching, whatsoever I shall
say hereafter.

I beseech your Grace to pardon me of my long and te-
dious writing ; for I could not otherwise set the matter forth
plain. And I most heartily thank your Grace for the stag
which your Grace sent unto me from Wyndsor forest : which,
if your Grace knew for how many causes it was welcome
unto me, and how many ways it did me service, I am sure
you would think it much the better bestowed. Thus our
Lord have your Highness always in his preservation and
governance. From Forde, the xxvi. day of August. [1686.]
Your Grace^s most humble chaplain
and beadsman,

T. Cantuarien.

CLXXII. ToCeumwell.
Cotton My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I

Cleop. commend me unto your good lordship. And whereas your

E. ▼. p. I02. popish part}r. It would seem however from Letter clxvixi. that they
OrigitiaL bad been gaining ground before that event.]

<i [CrumweUy q)pointed Lord Privy Seal the second of July, 1536.]

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1686.] LETTERS. 178

lordship vmteth to me in the favour of this bearer, Massey , stiype,
an old servant to the King's Highness, that being contract- ^^^*
ed to his sister's daughter of his late wife deceased, he might
enjoy the benefit of a dispensation in that behalf; specially,
conadering it is none of the cases of prohibition contained in
the statute ^; surely, my lord, I would gladly accomplish
your request herein, if the word of God would permit the
same. And where you require me, that if I think this
fieense may not be granted by the law of God, then I should
write unto you the reasons and authorities that move me so
to think ; that upon the declaration unto the King's High-
ness, you may confer thereupon with some other learned
men, and so advertise me of the King's farther resolution in
the same accordingly : for shortness of time, I shall show
you one reason, which is this: by the law of God many
persons be prohibited, which be not expressed, but be un-
derstand by like prohibition in equal degree. As St. Am-
brose saith, that die niece is forbid by the law of God, al-
though it be not expressed in Leviticus that the unde shall
not marry his niece. But where the nephew is forbid there,
that he shall not marry his aunt, by the same is understand
that the niece shall not be married unto her uncle. Like-
wise, as the daughter is not there plainly expressed, yet
where the son is forbid to marry his mother, it is understand
that the daughter may not be married to her father, by
cause they be of like degree. Even so it is in this case and
many other ; for where it is there expressed that the nephew
shall not marry his uncle's wife, it must needs be understand
that the niece shall not be married unto the aunt's husband,
by cause that all is one equality of degree. And although
I could allege many reasons and authorities mo for this pur-
pose, yet I trust this one reason shall satisfy all that be
learned and of judgment.

' [Stat. S8 Hen. VIII. cap. 7, ** For the establishment of the suo-
** cession of the imperial crown of this realm." It was passed a few
months before^ on the King's marriage to Jane Seymour. The prohi-
bited degrees were expressed in it in nearly the same terms as in the
former Act of succession, 25 Hen. VIII. c. 23, but were extended to
cases of carnal knowledge.]

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174 LETTERS. [1686.

And as touching the Act of Parliament concerning the
degrees prohibited by God^s law, they be not so plainly set
forth as I would they were. Wherein I somewhat spake
my mind at the making of the said law, but it was not then
accepted. I required then, that there must be expressed
mother, and mother-in-law, daughter, and daughter-in-law ;
and so in further degrees directly upward and downward,
in linea recta ; also sister and sister-in-law, aunt and aunt-
in-law, niece and niece-in-law. And this limitation, in my
judgment, would have contained all degrees prohibited by
God''s law, expressed and not expressed > : and should have
satisfied this man, and such other which would marry thdr
nieces-in-law.

My lord, I have no news to send you from these parties^
but I much long to hear such news as be oocurrent with
you. And therefore if you have any good news, I pray you
to send me some. Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you
well. At Forde, the viith day of September.

Your Lordship^s own,
T. Cantuarien.

CLXXIII. To Ceumwell.

MSS. My singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I com-

Chapter mend me unto your lordship. And whereas I perceive
Wcstmin- that your lordship, not without urgent and godly consider-
J^[|l^^"'ations, hath suppressed already divers friars^ houses, and be-
respond- stowed them upon honest men as I am informed, which your
^ina/. ~ godly proceeding I trust shall as well extend unto Canter-
bury as in other places, to the intent that the irreligious re-
ligion there may be extincted with other; and forasmuch
as the Gray Friars^ in Canterbury lieth very commodioudly

' [Tbe same opinion is expressed in his d6th Annotation on the Ring's
Book. See vol. ii. p. 77.]

< [Hasted states that the House of the Gray Friars in Canterbury
was suppressed in 1534 ; yet this LeUer, being addressed to Crumwell as
Lord Pnvy Seal, could not liave been written earlier than 1536. Hasted
probably may not have attended to the division of the Gray Friars or

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1686.] LETTERS. 175

for this bearer Thomas Cobham^ brother unto my lord
Cobham and my servant", specially by cause the same is not
only in his native country, but also nigh unto his friends;
these shall be to beseech your lordship to be so good lord
unto him as to help him unto the said house of the Gray
Friars ; for having already some land of his own, he shall
be the more able to maintain the house in an honest state.
And in thus doing, your lordship shall both do for the pre-
ferment of an honest man, and also make him more able to
do the Eing^s Grace service, and your lordship such plea-
sure as shall lie in him during his life. Thus, my lord,
right heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the vth day of
October.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord> my
Lord Privy Seal.

CLXXIV. To King Heney VIII*.

Pleaseth it your Grace to be advertised, that I have re- Hnrl. MSS.
ceived news out of Rome, from one named John Blanket, l^]' ^ '

Franciscans, into the Observants and Couventnals. The Observants, as
Stow relates, were put down in August 1534, and Augustine friars set in
their places for the time ; but the Conventuals do not then appear to
have been disturbed. On the contrary, Parkinson in his Antiquities of
English Franciscans asserts, that ** many of the Observants were sent
*^ into the houses of the Conventuals;" and in some instances perhaps
the latter may have been substituted for the former. The Act 27
Hen. VIII. cap. 28, for the suppression of the smaller religious houses
in general, was passed in the Parliament which met on the 4th of Feb.
1536 ; but it does not seem to have been carried into execution im-
mediately, and 1539 is mentioned as the year, when " all the Franciscan
*' convents in the nation were taken into the King's hands, and the
^' friars turned out of doors to shift for themselves.'' See Hasted,
Hist, of Kent, vol. iv. p. 446. Stow, Annals. Parkinson, Collectan.
Anglo- Minorit. Wood, Hist, Univ, Oxon.l

" [He was also a connexion, having married the Archbishop's niece.
See Genealogical Table in Todd, life of Cranmer. This application in
his favour appears to have failed, U>r the site of the Gray Friars was
^nted, 31 Hen. VIII. to Thomas Spihnan. Hasted, Mist, of Kent,
ibid.J

' [Mr. Todd has assigned this LeUer to 1533 ; Mr. Ellis has given it

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176 LETTERS. [1586.

Laosdown a Bononois born, some time my servant, and now servant

p. 66. unto the Cardinal Y which was late bishop of Worcester,

Ellis, Ort- and more privy with him of all secrets than any other about

l^ers, '^™' -^^^ among other things thus he writeth :

and Series, *< ^The Pope has called hither many prelates for matters

Todd Life ** concerning the Council, among whom is Mr. Raynold

of Cranm, « Pole made much of and much set by, and received of the

TO . 1. p. 9 . j^ p^p^ himself very gladly. And because the saying is, that

<< the King had sent for him home into England, and desired

^< him, and promised him also great things if he would come,

<* or at the least if that he would not go to Rome^ ; he

** now is come hither, not regarding the King'^s desire, pro-

'< mise, nor threats. And here men do esteem and think

^^ surely that the Pope will make him cardinal, and now he

^^ hath given him lodgings for himself within the palace,

" and will have him near him.

^^ And among those great men that be here for this mat-
^^ ter, the selfsame Raynold Pole is here truly most esteem -
" ed and most set by of all. And doubtless they be all*>

no date, but has placed it among papers of 1535. The historical events
which it mentions, sufficiently prove it to have been written in 1536.
See the following notes.]

y [Jerome de Ghinucci, deprived, together with Campegio, by Act of
Parliament in 1534. He had been employed by Hen. VIII. in many
embassies, and had the reputation of having served him fietithfully. Bur-
net, Reform, vol. i. p. 301.]

' [Pope Paul III. by a bull issued the 2nd of June 1536, summoned a
Council to meet at Mantua on the 23rd of May 1537. As a previous
measure, he assembled at Rome <' persons of known abilities to con-
<< cert means of facilitating a happy issue to so necessary and arduous
" an undertaking." Mosheim, Cent. xvi. Sect. 1. §. 9. PhillipS| Life
ofPokyp.-iSS,]

* ['' Reginald, in obedience to Paul's Ill's orders, was now set oat
'< from Venice in his way to Rome, when a courier from England over-
" took him at Verona. The news of his journey had already reached
'< the King's ears, and the courier came furnished with every ar^ment
'< to disconcert it. Lord Crumwell expressed himself by nothmg but
*' threats and inventions : Tunstall renewed his*objections to the papal
*^ authority : but the other letters were eloquent indeed, being fh>m the
*' Countess of Salisbury his mother, and his brother Lord Montague; in
'< which they entreated him, by all the ties of duty and affection, to de-
*' sist from a step which was so displeasing to the King." Phillips, Life
of Pole, p. 137.]

^ [These were doubtless the same distinguished men, who, on the pro-
rogation of the Council, were directed by the Pope to digest a plan of

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1586.] LETTERS. 177

<< singular fellows, and such as ever absented themselves
" from the Court, desiring to live holily: as the Bishop of
" Verona, the Bishop of Chiete, the Archbishop of Saleme,
<< the Bishop of Carpentras, otherwise called Sadoletus, and
^^ many other that now be here, for . . . to consult these mat-
" ters of the Council ; the which I cannot see how it can go
<^ forward, as long as the matters of war kindled between the
** princes are unquenched, without whom it is like that it
** cannot go forward. Nevertheless there be sent messen-
'^ gers to intimate the Council through Christendom, leav-
" ing you apart, to whom they will intimate it there in
" writing and in citations. Friar Denis, which wrote on
" the King^s side, being now General of the religion, cometh
^^ as ambassador from the Pope towards the King of Scotts.

** The £mperor<^ is now in Genoa, and many princes,
^^ specially the Duke of Florence<^ go to see him, and to
'< show themselves glad that he is arrived there safe and in
** good health ; which chanced but to a few gentlemen, which
<^ be almost all nck^.

*^ There is entreaty made for peace all that may be, and
^* it seemeth that the Frenchmen have good hope therein ;
** for they have left off war, and have no more men in Italy
^* now but Guido Rangone his men, and those of Turin ;
** which as yet they hold, with certain other castles. And
** the Pope is fervent and hot in entreating of this peace f.*"

reformation. They were nine in number. " Pole was in the thirty-sixth
** year of his age, and the youngest of all his associates : and thoueh
*' they were men of tlie first character for learning and probity, yet ne
" was the directing mind that governed the whole, and alone drew up
" the plan of reformadon, the substance of which had been the joint
" labours of them all ; and when it was printed some years after, it ap-
'' peared in his name, without any mention of his colleagues.'' Phillips,
Xt/e of Pole, The names of the Commissioners and an abstract of their
plan may be seen in'Sleidan, De Statu Religionis, lib. xii.]

^ [Charles V. went to Genoa on his return from his disastrous cam-
paign in Provence. " As he could not bear to expose himself to the
** scorn of the Italians after such a sad reverse of fortune, he embarked
" directly for Spain," in Nov. 1536. Robertson, Hist, of Charles F. b. vi.]

^ [Alexander de Medici, who was assassinated in the beginning of
1537 by his nearest kinsman, Lorenzo. Robertson, ibid,]

* [Charles V. had lost one half of his troops by disease or famine.
Robertson, ibid,]

f ['' The Pope made it his business to procure a cessation of arms in

VOL, I. K

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178 LETTERS. [1686-

Here have I written the very words of the letter, as I
did translate them out of Italian into English, as near as
I could word for word, which I can do no less than signify
unto your Highness, forsomuch as there be some things
concerning the General Council and Mr. Raynold Pole,
whereof I thought it my duty to give notice unto your
Grace. And thus I beseech the mighty Lord of lords to
strengthen and preserve your Grace ever, and to resist
and suppress all your Highnesses adversaries with your
rebel and untrue subjects i. At Knoll, the 18th day of
November. [1536.]

Your Grace'^s most humble
chaplain and beadsman,

T. Cantuarien*

To the King's Highness.

CLXXV. ToCeumwbll.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I

Chapter commend me unto your lordship. And whereas your
Westmin. lordship was so good lord unto James Arnold my servant,
w^ll^s'co™' ^^^^ bearer, as to direct (besides the King's gracious letters)
respond- your favourable letters unto Sir John Champenes, knight,
ginat. then Lord Mayor of London, and to his brethren, in the pre-
ferment of my said servant to the room and office of the
swordbearer of London ^, when it should chance next to be
void 5 by means whereof there was a record in writing made
of their grant unto my said servant: and forsomuch
as I now understand that the swordbearer is in danger of

<< Italy and other places. First therefore the truce was agreed apon for
** a certain time ; when that was expired, it was continued for another;
'' till at last a peace was made. Now the Pope's design in reconciling
*' these princesy was to persuade them to jom their forces against his
'^ mortal enemy the King of England, and against the Lutherans.''
Sleidan, b. xi. This peace, or rather truce for ten years between
Charles and Francis, was concluded in June 1538. Sieidan, b. xii.l

^ [The rising in Lincolnshire had been put down, but the formidable
rebellion in Yorkshire under Aske, was still raging in Nov. 1536. See
Lord Herbert, life of Hen, VIII, and State Papers, vol. i. p. 511, &c.]

k [See Letter cLi I. J

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1587.] LETTERS. 179

deaths and not like to escape: these shall be to beseech
your lordship, in case Jieed so require, to direct your favour-
able letters unto the mayor and aldermen that now be, put-
ting them in remembrance of their former grant made by
reason of the King'*s Grace'^s letters and your lordship^s
unto my said servant ; so that he may, without further mo-
lestation or suit, enjoy that room^ if it chance to be now
void. And surely, my lord, I am more desirous to seek his
preferment, because he hath sustained no small pains in
journeys beyond the seas with me i, with the Bishop of Har-
forth ra, Mr. Eliot », and with Mr. HetheS in the King's
affairs ; beseeching your lordship therefore the rather to be
his good lord in this behalf. Thus, my lord, right heartily
fare you well. At Forde, the ivth day of January.

Your own ever assured,

Thomas Cantuarien.

To the Right Honourable and my
singular good lord> my Lord Privy
Seal.

CLXXVI. To Crumwell.
My very especial and singular good Lord, these shall be MSS.
to signify unto your good lordship, that I have sent unto hou^*^
you by Richard Nevell my servant, the bringer hereof, xx'*. Weatmin-

for your fee^ of this year, desiring your good lordship, in all crumwdrs

Corrc-

' [Craomer had been associated with the Earl of Wiltshire and Origmat. '
others in an embassy to the Pope in 15S0» when he presented to his
Holiness his book on the King's divorce. In 1533 he was ambassador
in Germany to the Emperor (Jbarles V. See Letters i. ii. iii.l

°* [Edward Fox, Bishop of Hereford, was one of the chief aiploma-
tists of this reign. He was employed at Rome on the divorce cause as
early as 1537, and in December, 1535, he was at the head of the em-
bassy to the protestant princes at Smalcald. On the latter occasion he
incurred the suspicion of duplicity, being charged with representing
Henry VUI.'a inclination to Lutheranism to be greater than was the
fact. Seckendorf, Comment, de Luth. lib. iii. §. xxxix. Strype, MemorialSf
irol. i. p. 89. 336. 330. Letter lxxxix.]

** [See Letter cLi I.]

** [See Letters lxxxix. clii.]

P [Crumwell afterwards held office under Cranmer, and seems in

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180 LETTERS. [1687.

such affairs and business as I have to you at this time^ as
well for Mortlake ^ as other things, that you ^ve credence
unto him, which knoweth my whole mind herein. And so
Almighty God preserve your good lordship. From Forde^
the xvth day of January.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my especial and singular good
lord, my Lord Privy Seal.

CLXXVII. To Cbumwell.
MSS. ^y ^^U singular good Lord, in my most hearty manner

Chapter I commend me unto your lordship. And whereas I re-
Westmin- ceived a letter from you, wherein you will me to send Sir
Cnamweirs ^"8^ Payne ' unto you after his appearance, whom ye are
Corre- informed that I acited to appear before me, your lordship
^1^^^' shall understand, that the said Sir Hugh Payne was Curate
of Hadley in the county of Suffolke, of my peculiar jurisdic*
tion ; and for his erroneous and seditious preaching there
he was detected to me: upon which detection I sent for him ;
and in the mean space, while he stood in examination, I com-
manded him, before Doctor Revet, Parson of Hadley, that he
should not preach within my diocese or peculiars ; which my
commandment he disobediently contemning, did both preach
at Hadley and also at London in my peculiars there. And in
his examination had before me concerning those things
wherein he was detected, he was proved openly perjured.
And that he there erroneously preached, a taste of his teach-
ing your lordship shall perceive. He taught openly in the

conseqaence to have been entitled to a fee. See Letters ccxltii. ccxlv.
ccLvii. But there are great objections to the supposition, that the fee
here mentioned was due on that account.]

1 [The Archiepiscopal possessions at Mortlake were assured to Crum-
well by an Act of Parliament passed in 1536, entitled <^ An Act
'< concerning an exchange of lands between the King's Highness, the
'^ Archbishop of Canterbury, and Thomas Crumwell, £sq. the King's
<< chief Secretary." Stet. 38. Hen. VIII. cap. 50. A still more exten-
sive exchange was effected in Nov. 1537. See Letters clxxxiv.

CXCIII.]

' [See Letter ccviii.]

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1687.] letters: 181

pulpit there, that one Paternoster, said by the injunction of
a priest^ was worth a million Paternosters said of a man^s
mere voluntary mind : by this you may soon savour what
judgment this man is of, and how sincerely he would in-
struct the people. At the last, he seeing these things proved
against him, submitted himself to my correction. And
whereas I might by justice have pronounced him perjured,
and farther have proceeded against him for his erroneous
preaching, I enjoined to him but certain penance, and not so
much as he deserved ; which he did receive, and swear by the
holy Evangelists to accomplish the same. And therein again
he was forsworn and did it not, but fled into the said county
of Sufiblk again, and became a parish priest and a preacher
at Stoke Nayland, where he is (as I am informed) as well
liked as he was at Hadley. I hearing that he was there,
caused him to be cited to appear before me ; which thing he
did not; whereupon I did excommunicate him, and so now
for his contumacy he standeth excommunicate. And if he
come unto me, I will send him unto your lordship ; but in
the mean space these my letters are to desire your lordship
that you will put with me your helping hand to see him
punished; for although many of the Observants" were
wolves in sheep^s skins, yet in my opinion he ought to give
place to none of them in dissimulation, hypocrisy, flattery,
and all other qualities of the wolfish pharisees.

Furthermore I send unto your lordship herewithal a let-
ter directed to me by a monk of Christ^s Church in Canter-
bury, named Dan John Walkeham, concerning certain de-
tections. Upon which letter this day I have examined Dan
Stephen Gyles and Dan John Stone, monks; and I have
sent for Dan Thomas Becket to examine him to-morrow.
And as for John Stone, I have committed him to ward : be-
seeching your lordship that I may know with expedition
the King^s Grace^s pleasure concerning the ordering of these
persons K

Over this I have received letters directed both unto your

* rSee Letters cxix. cxlv. clxxiii.]

* [See Letter clxxviii.]

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182 LETTERS. [1637.

lordship and to me from Turney « of Calice ; and because
our letters concern divers matters, I have sent you mine
also, thinking it good that your lordship know the con-
tents thereof. Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you well.
At Forde, the 28th day of January, [1537.]

Your own ever assured,

T, Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my
singular good lord, my Lord Privy
Seal.

CLXXVIII. To Ceumwell.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty manner

Hmwe^ I commend me unto your lordship. And where you re-

Westmin- quire me to advertise you what farther knowledge I have

Crumweirs concerning the misdemeanour of such monks of Chrisfs

Corre- Church as of late were detected unto you*, as vet I know no
spondence. , i»«iii -^

Origina/. more than 1 wrote to you of, savmg that the observation of

Todd, Life the King^s Injunctions is not regarded ; for when any of the
mer^ol i. Convent will move to have any of the said Injunctions ob-
p. 172. served, by and by the Prior saith that he hath a dispensa-
tion for it; insomuch that, amongs other things, on St.
Blase day V last past, the Prior commanded that the relics
should be set forth as they were wont to be, and thereof
sent word to the Convent unto the Chapter House, that it
was the Eing'^s pleasure so to be done, which is contrary to
the Injunctions ^ given. But forasmuch as I was uncertain

** [Henry Turney was involved in the troubles at Calais which fol-
lowed Damplip's preaching, and, together with several others, was sent to
England on a charge of heresy. They were in prison at thedeath of Cram-
well in July 1540, when they were dismissed by the Lord Chancellor
Audley, by virtue of the King's general pardon. See Letters clv,
cLix, ccxxv, &c; Foxe, vol. ii. p. 562 ; Stat. 32 Hen. VIII. cap. 49.]

* [See Letter clxxvii.]

Y The 3rd of February.]

* Item, That they shall not show no relics or feigned miracles for
increase of lucre, but that they exhort pilgrims and strangers to eive
that to the poor, that they thought to offer to their images or relics.
Injunctions to Monatteriesy Burn. Ref, vol. i. b. iii. N®. 2. See also
Injunctions to the Clergy ^ Ibid. N®. 7.]

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1687.] LETTERS. 183

whether he be thus dispensed withal for such things or no,
I thought it good to advertise your lordship thereof. Be-
sides this you shall understand, that there is one named
Dan Robert Antoney *, subcellerar of Christ's Church, for
fear of examination is gone his ways, who left a letter to the
Prior behind him, the tenor whereof you shall perceive by
the copy of this letter herein inclosed.

Further you shall receive herewithal a letter sent to me
from Calice, concerning an oath to be had there for the ex-
tirpation of the Bishop of Rome's power and authority ac-
cording to the Act ^ of Parliament : by which said letter your
lordship shall perceive more in that behalf.

Also I have in durance with me a French priest of Calice,
of whom I wrote to your lordship, and with him I have re-
ceived an English ^book, which my Commissary c, with other
soldiers of the town, in reprehending such corrupt sayings as
are therein contained, sustained much reproof and displea-
sure ; the notable places therein this bearer my servant can
inform you. If your lordship be minded to have the priest,
I will send him unto you. He is surely a simple man, with-
out all knowledge of learning, and therefore I think that he
hath spoken nothing of malice or purpose, but of ignorance.
And forasmuch as he is the French King's subject, and serv-
ed there for no purpose else but to be a gardener, in mine
opinion it will be well done that he be sent unto Calice
again, and so banished the town, and sent home unto his na-
tural country. Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you well.
At Forde, the xvi. day of February.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.

To my very singular good lord> my
Lord Privy Seal.

* [See Letters ccxxvi. ccxxviii.l
t» JStat. 28. Hen. VIII. cap. lO.J
« [John Butler. See Letter ccxxv.]

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184 LETTERS. [ISSl.

CLXXIX. ToCeumwell.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, in most hearty wise I com-

Houa« "^ mend me unto your lordship. And whereas this bearer,
Wettmio- Mr. Hambleton d, showed unto your lordship certain letters
Cromwdrs which he received from Rome, and your lordship willed
^"^- him that he should in no wise agree unto them, promiang
Original, him to move the Kmg s Highness to give nim some living
here in Englonde ; these shall be therefore to desire your
lordship to be so beneficial unto him, and, the rather at this
my instant request, to move the King^s Highness to give
him somewhat to live on here in Englonde, until it please
God to send the true light of his gospel into his country,
and unto such time as he may more quietly enjoy his own.
And in so doing your lordship shall do a very good deed
to further him, being a right honest man and destitute of
friends, and bind him during his life to owe unto your lord-
ship his service and prayer. Furthermore I derire your
lordship, as shortly as you can conveniently, to give unto
the said Mr. Hambleton an answer of the Eing^s pleasure in
the same, so that he may know whereunto to trust. Thus
I pray God long to preserve your lordship in health to his
pleasure. From Fourde, the 28th day of February.

Your own ever assured,
T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord^ my
Lord Privy Seal.

CLXXX. To Crumwell.

MSS. After most hearty commendations unto your lordship;

House '^ these be to advertise the same, that this bearer moveth me of
Westmin- the weight of certain plate, wherein should be much profit
Crarowen's^^^ ^^ King's Highness, as he saith ; which matter neither
^"^ I do well understand, nor it appertaineth unto mine office ;
OrighuU, wherefore I have sent him unto your good lordship ; unto

^ [See Letter clxx.]

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15870 LETTERS. 186

whom, if you please, he will show the whole eflPect of his
mind ; which known, you may do aa you shall think good.
Thus our Lord have you in his most blessed preservation.
From my manor of Lamehyth, the xiii. day of March.

Your lordship^s assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my singular good lord^ my Lord
Privy Seal.

CLXXXI. To Crumwkll.
My very singular good Lord, after most hearty recom- mss.
mendations unto your good lordship : this shall be to desire ^^^P^^
and heartily to pray you, that my Lord Cobeham ^ may be Westmiii.
put in the commission f, not concerning Canterbury but Jlj^^^^u.^
only for Rochester, because he lieth within three or four Carre-
miles of Rochester. I know no benefit that can come to^^^^^^^
my lord thereby, but only that I think it should be a plea- Holograph,
sure for him, and to me surely your lordship shall do a
very great pleasure therein; wherefore I entirely beseech
your lordship to put him in the said commission. And
thus Almighty God have your lordship ever in his preser-
vation. From Croydon, this last day of March.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien*
To my very good lord, my Lord
Cnunwel^ Lord Privy Seal.

CLXXXII. ToCrumwbll.

After most hearty commendations unto your lordship : chapter

Whereas within the diocese of Norwiche there is one named IS*"?*'

Westmin-

M. Gounthrop, Parson of Wretyng, whom of long time,ster;

Cnimweirs
Corre-
® [George Brooke, Lord Cobham, afterwards Lord Deputy of Calais. FpoDdence.

His brother Thomas married Cranmer's niece. See Letters clxziii. Original.

CCLXIII.]

^ [Probably the commission for the collection of the subsidy to the
King. See above, Letter cxli ; and below, Letter cxciii.]

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186 LETTERS. [15S7.

above twenty years past, I have known not only for a great
clerk, but also of such singular judgment, sobriety, and
conversation of living, that in all those qualities I have
known very few like unto him ; and yet, this notwithstand-
ing, as I am informed, he cannot in that diocese be ac-
cepted ne allowed, as he ought to be, by reason that one
named Dale, (whom also I knew in Cambridge, without all
learning and discretion, now chaplain unto the Bishop of
NorwicheS,) preacheth not only against the said Master
Grounthorpe, but also, as it is reported, publisheth no good
doctrine himself; and forasmuch as I know the said Mr.
Gounthorpe to be a very meet personage to preach unto
the people in this time, and of such soberness and discretion,
that he is not like to be author of any discord or dissension ;
and forasmuch also that he the Bishop of Norwiche, doth
approve none to preach in his diocese that be of right judg-
ment, as I do hear reported of credible persons; these shall
be to desire and pray you, my lord, to be so good unto the
said Mr. Gunthorpe, at this my request, as to grant him as
well the Eing^s license to preach within this realm, as also
that he may from time to time have recourse unto your
lordship for your favourable aid and assistance in his right,
in case the said Dale promote causes against him before the
Bishop of Norwiche. I know also three or four grave men
and substantially learned within Norwiche diocese, and of
very good conversation, to whom, if your lordship would
give the Eing^s license, I doubt not but you should do a
deed very acceptable unto God. For it were great pity
that the diocese of Norwiche should not be continued in the

8 [William Rugge, alias Reps, was elected Bishop of Norwich the
dlst of May, 1536. He resigned the see in 1642, to make wa^r for
Thirlby. His support of the Act of the Six Articles, and his opposition
to the measures of Edw. VI., furnish sufficient evidence of his being an
enemy to the reformation. His predecessor, Richard Nix, was also at
one time a zealous partisan on the same side ; but a conviction in a
pramunirt^ and a visitation by the Archbishop in 1534, seem to have
cooled his ardour, and to have enabled '< the nght knowledge of God,''
as Cranmer expresses it, to make considerable progress in his diocese
during the latter years of his life. See Strype, Cranmer ^ p. S9; Burnet,
Ref. vol. ii. p. 309, and vol. iii. p. 973.]

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1587.] LETTERS. 187

right knowledge of God which is b^un amongst them.
Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you well. At Lambeth,
the 26th day of Maye.

Your lordship^s own assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CLXXXIII. To Cbumwell.

My yery singular good Lord, in most hearty wise I com- MSS.
mend me unto you. And whereas my suit hath been unto h^^
you for my friend Henry Stoketh to haye a lease of the Wcstmin-

atAr* f mm

demesne lands of the Charter House in the Isle of Axholme, well's Cor-'
I haye sent my servant, this bearer, to put your lordship in ^^^^^
remembrance of the same, desiring you heartily to move the ginal,
Eing^s Highness in the ssid suit, so that he may have it
either by lease, or else that he may purchase the said
demesne lands, according as other have done; and in so
doing your lordship shall do unto me a very nngular
pleasure ; as knoweth Almighty Grod^ who have your good
lordship in his tuition. At Lambeth, the SOth of July.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my singular good lord^ my Lord
Privy Seal.

CLXXXIV. To CRUMWELLh.

After most hearty commendations unto your Lordship: cottoD.
these shall be to signify unto you, that I, with other bishops J?^*
and learned men here assembled by the Eing^s command- v. fol. 5a.
ment, have almost made an end of our determinations'; for ^^^"^ei*^-

^ [Strype refers to this Letter, (firarmer^ p. 55;) but lie has not
printed it.]

1 [These " determinations" were published shortly afterwards under
the title of The Institution of a Christian Man, See Preface to the
reprint of it at Oxford in 18125, and the works there referred to. See

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188 LETTERS. [15S7.

we have already subscribed unto the declaradons of the
Paternoster and the Ave Maria, the Creed and the Ten

also in the State Papers some interesting letters respecting it, addressed
to Crumwell by Bishops Fox and Latymer, two of the Commissioners
employed in its compilation. It appears from these, that there was
great difficulty in coming to an agreement. Latymer prays God,
" that when it is done, it will be well and sufficiently done, so that
'^ we shall not need to have any more such doings ; for verily for my
** part, I had lever be poor Parson of poor Kynton again, than to con-
** tinue thus Bishop of Worcester; not for any thing Uiat I have had to
*' do therein or can do, but yet forsooth it is a troublous thing to agree
*^ upon a doctrine in things of such controversy, with judgments of
" such diversity, every man, I trust, meaning well, and yet not all
'' meaning one way. But I doubt not but now in the end we shall
" agree both one with another, and all with the truth, though some
" will then marvel.'* And Bishop Fox also says, with reference
probably to the heat of their debates, that they " wanted much
" Crumwell's presence." Cranmer and Fox are represented to have
taken the lead in the discussions ; and the latter, when the book
was completed, undertook to superintend the printing of it. ** This
** day,*' says I^atymer, *' we had finished, I trow, the rest of our book,
** if my Lord of Hereford had not been diseased; to whom surely we
<< owe great thanks for his great diligence in all our proceedings. Upon
** Monday I think it will be done altogether, and then my Lord of
" Canterbury will send it unto your Lordship with all speed : to whom
** also, if any thing be praiseworthy, bona pars laudis Optimo jure de-
« betur."

When their determinations were thus concluded, an important ques-
tion arose respecting the authority by which they should be issued.
And accordingly Fox beseeches Crumwell " to know the King*s plea-
'' sure for the Prefaces which shall be put unto the said book, and
** whether his Highness will that the book shall go forth in his name,
" according to such device as I once moved unto your lordship, or in
'< the name of the bishops." State Papers, vol. i. pp. 556. 569. 563.

Fox's '^ device" perhaps may have been, that the Commissioners
should send a letter to the King, reporting their proceedings, and pray-
ing for his Majesty's sanction ; that the King should return a gracious
answer, complying with their request ; and that both these documents
should be printed by way of Introduction to the new book. Such a
letter from the Commissioners was actually prefixed to The Institution ;
and a minute of an answer from the King is preserved in the Cliapter
House, Westminster, Theological Tracts, vol. ix. p. 73 ; though it does
not seem to have been noticed by the historians. In this he informs the
prelates, that although he had not had time to overlook their work, he
trusted to them for its being according to Scripture ; that he permitted
it to be printed, and commanded all who had care of souls to read a
portion of it every Sunday and holyday for three years, and to preach
conformably thereto. But it would appear, that, cautiously as this
reply was worded. Hen. VIII. did not choose to commit himself by its
publication ; for The Institution came out with no other Preface than
the abovenamed letter of the prelate's, and with no farther claim to
royal authority, than was implied by its issuing from the press of the
Kind's printer. It rested therefore on very different grounds from the
Articles of Religion which preceded, and the Necessary Doctrine

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1587.] LETTERS. 189

Commandments^ and there remaineth no more but certain
notes of the Creed, unto the which we be agreed to subscribe
on Monday next ; which all, when they shall be subscribed,
I pray you that I may know your mind and pleasure, whe-
ther I shall send them incontinently unto you, or leave
them in my Lord of Herteforde^s^ hands, to be delivered
by him when he cometh next unto the Court : beseeching
you, my lord, to be intercessor unto the Eing'^s Highness for
us all, that we may have his Grace^s license to depart for
this time, until his G racers further pleasure be known;
for they die almost every where in London, Westminster,
and in Lambeth they die at my gate even at the next house
to me^ I would fain see the Eing^s Highness at my de-
parting, but I fear me that I shall not, by cause that I shall
come from this smoky air; yet I would gladly know the
Eing^s pleasure herein.

Also, where you granted unto me license to visit my dio-
cese this year, I beseech you that I may have your letters
to Doctor Peter™ to put that in my commission.

Moreover I beseech your lordship not to forget to be a
suitor for me unto the Eing'^s Highness concerning mine ex-
change", and specially for the remission of such debts as are
yet behind unpaid, which I owe unto his Grace^. Thus,

which followed it. For both of those Formularies of Faith were first
approved in Convocation, and were then provided with a Preface by
the Kine, and declared in the title page to be set forth by his autho-
rity. Thus it was not a distinction without a difference, that 7%e
Inttitutitm was called the Bishops*, and the Neceuary Doctrine the
Ring's Book. This statement has been given at some length, because
if correct, it will solve some difficulties in the subsequent letters, and
because Uiere are several conflicting accounts of the matter in our ec-
clesiastical writers. See Preface.]

^ [It is clear from the preceding note, that Cranmer is speaking of
Foi, Bishop of Hereford.]

' [Latymer ^ves a similar account : '' Sir, we be here not without all
'^ peril, ror beside two [that] hath died of my keeper's folks out of my
" gate house, three be yet tfiere with raw sores ; and even now Master
'' Nevell cometh and telleth me, that my under cook is fallen sick, and
'< like to be of the plague.**]

" [See Letter clx. Strype, Cranm. p. 55.]

** (The great exchange between Hen. VIII. and Cranmer, was con-
cluded at the latter end of this year. See Letter cxciii. Strype, Cranm.
p. S8S.]

*^ [See Letters lxxix.cxciii.]

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190 LETTERS. [1637.

my lord, right heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the
xxi. day of July. [1537.]

Over this, I pray you show unto me your advice, how 1
shall order in my said Visitation such persons as hath trans-
gressed the Eing^s Grace^s Injunctions?.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.

<l I beseech your lordship to send me word, whether I
shall examine the Vicar of Croyden ' in this presence of the
bishops and other learned men of our assembly, or other-
wise how I shall order him.

P [See in Strype, Memorialsy vol. i. p. 321, an account of the Injunc-
tions issued in 1536 ; and in Wilkins* Conct/ta, vol. iii. p. 813, or Burnet^
Reformat. App. vol. i. book iii. No. 7, a copy of the Injunctions them-
selves.]

*1 [The postscript is in Cranmer's own hand-writing.]
^ [Among the loose papers in the Chapter House, Westminster, are
some fragments of an examination of Roland Phiiipps, taken before
the Archbishop on the 38th and 29th of July. As Roland Phiiipps
was Vicar of Croydon in 1535, (see Valor, Eccles,) there can be little
doubt of this being the examination to which Cranmer alludes. He
seems to have been called to account for a sermon, in which he had in-
dulged in reflections on the reformers. It may be collected, that
he accused them of respersing their discourses with lies, detractions,
and perverse judgments against other men, and of preaching them-
selves divers erroneous doctrines; such as the possibility of salva-
tion without good works, and the consequent inutility of prayer, fasting,
and alms. In most cases he declined naming individuals, but in others,
as may be seen by the following extracts from his examination, he did
not scruple to fix his charges on some very distinguished friends of the
reformation.

<' Examinatio D, Rolandi Phiiipps coram Domino Jrchiepiscopo Can-
" tuarien, vicesimo octavo die mensis Julii anno supradicto.

3. " Itemy Interrogatur, Whom he knoweth fallen into this error, that
" they trust to be saved by faith and baptism, and have left all good
'< works, and how lon^it is, since the people fell into that error. Re^Mm."
*' det, That he knoweth no special person that is in that error, but that
" is about eleven years ago, since the people came into that error.

'< Itemy What good works the people have left. Respondet^ That they
<' have left prayer, fasting, and ahns

18. ** Item, Whom he knoweth to be of this opinion, that fiuth
^' which justifieth, of necessity bringeth forth epod works. And whether
'' he be of the same opinion or no. Respondety That Barons, Crome,
** Champion, and many other so have preached, and he is not of that
'' opinion himself.

19. " Item, Whom he knoweth that doth exclude all bodily observ-
^* ance as frivol and vain, all ceremonies of religion, and all vocal

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1687] LETTERS. 191

CLXXXV. To Ceumwell.

After hearty commendations unto your Lordship ; this is MSS.
to advertise the same, that the bearer hereof, Mr. Tybbold, ^^^
one that hath exercised his study in Almayn these two orWestmin-
three years past, brought from Capito« and Monsterus^ Crom well's
both letters and books to the King^s Highness ; and if his Corre-
Grace^s pleasure be to reward them for their pains and good ^l^^^a!^
hearts which they bear unto his said Grace, this man that
brought the said letters, shall very couTeniently do the
King good service in that behalf: for he is going thither-
ward now again, and is a very honest man, and both loved
and trusted of the learned men in those parties ; with whom
if it please your lordship to commune, he can well inform
you of the state of that country. Wherefore not only in this,
but also for his passport, I beseech you to be his good lord,
so that he may have your favourable letters unto the ports
for his passage and safe conduct. Thus our Lord have
your lordship in his tuition. At Lambeth^ the xxii. day of
July. [1637.]

Your Lordship^s assured,

T. Cantuarien.

To mj very singular good lord^ my
Lord Privy Seal.

«* prayer, calling it lip labour. Respondet, The Bishop of Wurcester,
*^ [Latymer J and Doctor Crome have so done, for it followeth of their
** words^ ' Adorabunt Patrem in spiritu.' ''

20. '' Itemy Whom he knoweth that in mass do use to clap their finger
** upon their lips and say never a word. "Retpondety That he hath seen
** many so do, but he can name none; but some great men in the Court
^* do so, as he hath heard reported.^

With regard to his own opinions, he maintained^ that men had not
been led into any error of raith by the erroneous instructions of the
clergy ; tliat the catholic Church shall never err in things necessary to
salvation ; and that all decisions of Councils were to be received and
believed in things concerning our faith.]

■ [See Letter clxxxvi.]

' [Sebastian Munster was so distinguished for his Hebrew and histo-
rical learning, that he was called the Ezra and tlie Strabo of the Ger-
mans. In 1629, he moved, at the invitation of (Ecolampadius, from
Heidelberg to Basle, where he lived in great repute till 1552. Gerdes,
HUt, Eoang, Renav, vol. ii. p. 380.]

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198 LETTERS. [1637.

CLXXXVI. To Wolfgang Capito«.
ExArchMs Libellum tuum ', amice Capito^ Regiae Majestati, cui tu

Ecclcs. Til- •• • • A * •!•

riceos. ex mscnpseras, ipse manu mea porrexi. Accepit, ut mini sane

Antogr, visus est, gratanter et libenter. Submonui quoque ut la-

MSS. Scri- bores tuos respiceret. Annuit se visurum : nee multo post

nil Ecdet. tempore Dominum Crumwellum, Privati Sigilli Custodem,

nt vol. ii. qui ab intimis consiliis Regis est, quique in his conficiendis

^* ^^' quae hactenus circa religionis et cleri reformationem facta et

transacta sunt, plus unus omnibus fecit, Harfordensis ^ et

ego, cum apud ilium una essemus^ una eum rogavimus, ut

Regiam Majestatem iterum tui admoneret. Fecit, et tibi

pro munere centum coronati deputantur^ quos jussit et

harum latorem secum delaturum.

Scire adbuc denderas, ecquid munus tuum gratum fuerit ?
Age dicam, non quae ipse scio vera esse, sed quae ab aliis,
qui in Aula nuperius quam ego fuerunt, accepi. Solet Rex,
(ut est acerrimus et ad omnia vigilantissimus) libros hujus-
modi sibi oblatos, praesertim quos Ipse non sustinet l^ere,
suorum alicui tradere i^endos, a quo ipse postea discat,
quid in illis contentum fuerit. Deinde resumptos eosdem
alteri cuipiam, qui sit a priore diversissimi judicii obtrudit
exammandos. Ita cum ab ipsis omnia expiscatus fuerit, et
quid laudent, quidve vituperent, sdverit ac satis expenderit,
tum demum et ipse suam de eisdem palam profert senten-
tiam. Sic et cum libello tuo actum fuisse intelligo : quodque
cum in illo multa valde approbaverit^ fuerint etiam nonnulla,
quae nullo pacto concoquere neque comprobare potuerit.
Suspicor ea esse, quae de Missa adjunxeras. Habes quantum
hactenus ego de libello illo potui vel praesens audire et cer-
nere, vel absens ex aliorum relationibus excerpere atque
coUigere.

^ [This Letter is printed from a copy of the Zurich manuscript by
Mr. dalomon He88.1

' Res(K)nsum de Missa, Matrimonio, et jure Magistratus in religione,
11 Martii 1537> Henrico VIII. inscriptum. A Capitone recognitum
Rihelius excudit Argentorad 1640. V. Gesnenim in Biblioth. [Note
of Mr. Salomon Hess^

r Edrardus Foxus. [Sal. Hess.]

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1687.] LETTERS. 193

De me hoc tibi persuadeto, te amo ex animo venerorque,
et dignum judico cui ob insignem eruditionem cum pari
morum probitate conjunctam omnes boni bene faciant.
Atque utinam voluntati mese erga te propensse facultas re-
sponderet ! Tunc profecto, mi Capito, sentires, quanti te
fado. Interim te rogo, ut hoc munusculum a me boni con-
sulas, parum quidem si ad merita tua respiciatur^ sed pro-
fecto non contemnendum, si vel animus meus dantis, vel
sumtus necessarii et multiplices, quibus propemodum vel
supra facultates oneror, rite considerentur. Quod superest,
oro, ut hunc amicum meum Thomam Tybaldum, qui hasce
ad te perfert, mea causa, quantum potes, foveas et adjuves.
Vale,

T. Cantuarien.

CLXXXVII. To Joachim Vadian.

Tandem a negotiis consiliisque publicis missionem velArchir.
verius respirationem nactus, et inter cseteros doctos virosj^^^ii.
quorum epistolis responsa jam diu debueram, tibi quoque, Dadithiiu,
Vadiane, vir illustris doctissimeque, nunc demum vertente ^J^J^*^ ^'
anno respondere incipiens, (utpote cujus literas superiore coiome-
hyeme acceperim, una cum munere literario; quod g^^^^*^^^^'
quidem soleo vel inter pretiosissima numerare) illud impri- Virorum^
mis mecum reputare pudibundus occcepi vererique, ne forte ^^^ '
suspicionem aut etiam opinionem mihi aliquam sinistram Cranmer,
apud animum tuum^ silentio meo tam diutumo, contraxerim; ^^f' ^®*
qui sciam apud vulgus hominum fieri plerumque solere,
cum bospes hospitem salutat, ut in primo maxime aditu re-
sponsum solicite exspectent. Quod si differatur, super-
biam aliquam vel neglectum sui, vel^ ut minimum, obli-
vionem intervenire suspicantur, qualemque in primo illo
accessu invenere, talem in universam reliquam vitam erga se
fore prsejudicant. Cum qui cito respondet^ libenter et gra-
tanter id facere judicature eumque proinde humanum, faci-
lem, gratumque interpretantur. Contra^ qui tarde, fastuosus,
difficilis, et indvilibus ac inamoenis moribus prseditus existi-

VOL. I. o

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194 LETTERS. [1687.

matur. Usque adeo bis facit quod dto fadt^ quicquid quia
dto fadt. Verum ego de tua neutiquam vulgari prudentia
et humanitate meliora mihi pollioeor^ confidoque te banc
meam non spontaneam tarditatem aut cessationem sed ne-
cessariam dilationem benigne accepturum^ eainque non tain
moribus quam negotiis meis imputaturum. Quae qualia et
quanta fuerint^ puto rumores ad vos usque jampridem per-
tulisse, et ego de eisdem nonnihil ad Grynseum * meum, imo
nostrum, scripsi; cum quo pro amicitise jure omnia tibi
oommunia futura esse non ambigo. Ad ilium igitur te re-
mittor siqiiid hac re offenderis, qui me tibi reddat excusa-
(iorem.

Tuam erga me voluntatem et promptitudinem animi ad
oontrahendam mecum sanctiorem necessitudinem, in Uteris
tuis perspicio, et libens amplector osculorque. Virum enim
dignum te judico, quem ego propter eximiam eruditionem,
qua me quoque adjutum profecisse neuUquam dissimulavero,
et propter morum probitatem, multorum gravis^morum vi-
rorum testimoniisoomprobatam, omni amore, favore, ac vene-
ratione prosequar. Veruntamen ut animi mei sensum (ncuti
inter bonos viros fieri oportet) ingenue tibi profitear, argu-
mentum quod tractas in sex illis libris^, quos mihi dono de-
deras, in totum mihi displicet, vellemque vigilias tuas tantas
felicius coUocasses, et mecum jucundse amicitise melioribus^
aut certe minus improbatis auspiciis fuisses usus. Nam
^o nisi certiora affeni video, quam hactenus videre potui^
sententise illius vestrse nee patronus nee astipulator esse volo.
Et plane mihi vel ex eo maxime persuasum est, causam esse
non bonam, quod eam viri tam ingeniosi, tam diserti, tam-
que omnibus artibus et disciplinis instructi, non videamini
satis valide tueri ac sustinere. Vidi pleraque omnia, quae
vel ab (Eoolampadio, vd a Zuinglio seripta sunt et edita,

^ [Simon Grvneus was at this time settled at Basle. See Chalmers's
Biog. Diet, The manner in which Cranmer speaks of him, does not
countenance Anthony Wood's story of his having stolen some Greek
books from the Oxford libraries, because, as he said, the owners were
careless of them.]

^ [Aphoritmofwn Idbri Sex de Camideratione EucharistUt ; which were
intended to disprove the Corporal Presence. Strype, Cranmer^ p. ^J\

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1687.] LETTERS. 196

dididque omnium hominum omnia cum ddectu esse legen-
da. Et fortasse illud D. Hieronymi de Origene elogium in
illos quoque non absurde aliquis detorserit, ^^Ubi bene^
^^ nemo melius,^ &c. Nosti enim quod sequitur. Quatenus
quidem papisticos et sophisticos errores et abusus indicare,
convincere, oorrigereque sunt conati^ laudo et approbo. At-
que utinam intra fines illos constitissent^ neque fruges una cum
zizaniis conculcassent^ hoc est, veterum doctorum primorum-
que in Ecele^ Christi sciiptorum auctoritatem una violas-
sent. Nam ut ingenia vestra quantumcunque versaveritis,
mihi tamen certe nunquam approbaveritis, ne cuiquam,
opinor, aequo lectori, veteres illos auctores in bac contro«>
versia pro vestra facere sententia. Fuistis nimirum in in-
vestigandis erroribus plus satis curiosi, et dum omnia purgare
studetis, illic quoque errorem subesse putavistis, ubi nullus
fuit. Quando hie certe, n error est, jam inde a primordio
Eccle^se, ab ipsis patribus et viris apostolicis, nobis fuit pro-
pinatus. Quod quis plus sustinuerit vel audire, nedum
credere? ut nequid interim dicam, quod bonus Dominus
noster unice dilectam sponsam suam nunquam in tam pu-
denda csecitate tamdiu dereliquisset. Quamobrem quum
haec, quam tenemus, catholica fides de vera presentia cor-
poris tam apertis ac inanifesUs Scripturis fuerit Ecclesise ab
initio promulgata, et eadem postea, per primos ecclesiasticos
scriptores, fidelium auribus tam clare tamque studiose com-
mendata, ne quseso, ne mihi pergatis eam tam bene radica-
tam et suffultam veUe ampHus convellere aut subruere.
Satis jam satis tentatum est hactenus. Et nin super firmam
petram fuisset firmiter aedificata, jam dudum cum magnse
ruinse fragore cecidisset. Dici non potest, quantum heec tam
cruentacontroversia, cum per universum (»rbem Cbristianum,
tum maxime apud nos, t>ene currenti verbo Evangelii ob-
stiterit. Vobis ipsis affert ingens periculum, et caeteris om-
nibus praebet non dicendum ofiendiculum. Quodrca, si me
audietis, hortor et suadeo, imo vos oro, obsecro, et visceribus
Jesu Christi obtestor et adjuro, uti concordiam procedere
et ooire nnatis, in illam confirmandam totis viribus incum**
batis, pacemque Dd tandem, quae superat omnem sensum,

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196 LETTERS. [1687.

Ecclesiis permittatis, ut evangelicam doctrinam unam, sanam,
puram, et cum primitivse Ecclesiae disciplina consonam, junc-
tis viribus quam maxime propagemus. Facile vel Turcas ad
Evangelii nostri obedientiam converterimus, modo intra nos-
metipsos consentiamus, et pia quadam conjuratione conspi-
remus. At si ad hunc modum pergimus ad invicem conten-
dere et commordere, timendum erit, ne (quod dicens abo-
minor) juxta comminationem Apostolicam, ad invicem con-
sumamur.

Habes, optime Vadiane, meam de tota controversia ilia
neutiquam fictam sententiam, una cum admonitione libera
ac fideli. Cui si obtemperaveris, non modo inter amicos,
sed etiam vel inter amicissimos mihi nomen tuum ascripsax).
Bene vale. [1537.]

T. Cantuariens.
Illustri et erudite viro Joachimo

Vadiano^ Consuli apud Sanctum

Gkllum in Helvetia.

CLXXXVIII. To Ceumwell.
MSS. jjy especial good Lord, after most hearty commendations

House, unto your lordship; these shall be to signify unto the same,
W^tmm- ^^^^ y^^ gjj^jl receive by the bringer thereof a Bible <= in
Cnimweirs English, both of a new translation and of a new print, dedi-
poodeo^ce. cated unto the King's Majesty, as farther appeareth by a
OriginaL pigtle unto his Grace in the be^nning of the book, which
pnl^y^'i ^^ ™^"^ opinion is very well done, and therefore I pray your
pt. ii. lordship to read the same. And as for the translation, so

J^':k^^l\e far as I have read thereof, I like it better than any other

load, lAfe 1., - 1 11*

of Cran^ translation heretofore made ; yet not doubting but that there

p!Ti 1?^ '' ^^y *°^ ^^^ "^ found some fault therein, as you know no
man ever did or can do so well^ but it may be from time to

^ [Commonly called Matthew's Bible, but in fact translated bj Tyn-
dale, Coverdale, and Rogers. It was printed by R. Grafton and
£. Wbitchi^irch in 1537. See Preface, and Letters cxci. cxcii ; Cotton,
lAst of Editions f p. 413 ; Strype, Cranmer^ p. 59.]

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1687.] LETTERS. 197

time amended. And forasmuch as the book is dedicated
unto the King's Grace^ and also great pains and labour
taken in| setting forth of the same, I pray you, my lord,
that you will exhibit the book unto the King's Highness,
and to obtain of his Grace, if you can, a license that the
same may be sold and read of every person, without danger
of any act, proclamation, or ordinance heretofore granted
to the contrary, until such time that we the bishops shall
set forth a better translation, which I think will not be till a
day after doomsday <*. And if you continue to take such
pains for the setting forth of God's word, as you do, al-
though in the mean season you suffer some snubs, and
many slanders, lies, and reproaches for the same, yet one day
He will requite altogether. And the same word (as St. John
saith) which shall judge every man at the last day, must
needs show favour to them that now do favour it. Thus,
my lord, right heartily fare you well. At Forde, the ivth
day of August. [1537.]

Your assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and
my especial good lord^ my
Lord Privy Seal.

CLXXXIX. ToCeumwell.

After most hearty commendations unto your lordship : MSS.

whereas the same writeth unto me to stay a suit which should House,

be made unto me for the induction of a certain person in Westmin-

St. Quintunes in Spelake^, in the marches of Calais, uponcmm-

an advowson granted of the same, surely, my lord, as yet J^]^*j,^'*

ence. Ori»
ginoL
^ [See an account of Stokesle/s refusal to assist in this work, and of
LawneVs iest on the occasion, in Strype, Cranmer, p. 34. The difficul-
ties raised by the bishops on a subsequent occasion are described by
Lewis, Hist, rf TrantlatianSf SfC, p. 145.]
« [See Letter cxcv.]

o 8

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198 LETTERS. [1687.

there is no such suit made unto me : howbeit if any suit be
made^ I shall^ according to your mind, stay the same, and
likewise incontinently send unto mine officers that they on
their behalf do the same aocordingty. Thus, my lord, right
heartily fiire you well. At Canterbury, the vth day of
August.

Your lordship^s own,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CXC. To Ceumwell.

M9S. My singular good Lord, in my right hearty wise I com-

Hoase, mend me unto your lordship. These shall be to yield unto
Westanin- ^^g game my most hearty thanks for your good adverUse-
CrnmweirB ment unto the Eing^s Majesty touching the tenor of my
TODdeoce. '^^^^^ which I sent to you by Sir Edward Ryngsley*,
Origmah knight. And as concerning your commendation of the said
Sir Edward, with your effectious request for my favour to
be declared towards him in such things as he may have to
do with me, I am right glad that you have conceived so good
opinion of him ; and for my part, though my ability be but
small, he shall have such commodity and pleasure as I may
do for him. Howbeit I shall desire your lordship so to ex-
tend your goodness towards him, that thereby he may have
some preferment now in the alteration of these religious
houses ; wherein surely you shall not only much animate the
man to do the Eing^s Majesty his most faithful service, but
also bind him to be at your commandment. Thus, my lord,

<* [If this is tlie Sir Edw. Ringleis, or Kinslee, mentioned by Foxe, he
does not seem to have been valued so highly by the martyrolojnst, as
by Crumwell and Cranmer; for he is spoken of m the Acts and Monu-
ments, Sfc. vol. ii. p. 562y as ** Controller of the town of Calais, an office
** of no small chaise, though he knew not a B from a battledore, nor
" ever a letter of the book."]

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1587.] LETTERS. 199

right heartily fare you well. At Forde^ the viiith day of
August.

Your assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord^ my
Lord Privy Seal.

CXCI. To Crumwell.
My very angular good Lord^ in my most hearty wise I Cotton
commend me unto your lordship. And whereas I under- q^'q, ^^
stand that your lordship, at my request, hath not only ex- f* 329- b.
hibited the Bible which I sent unto you S, to the Eing^s su^J?^*
Majesty, but also hath obtained of his Grace, that the same Cranmer,
shall be allowed by his authority to be bought and read^'^^"
within this realm ; my lord, for this your pain, taken in
this behalf, I give unto you my most hearty thanks : as*
suring your lordship, for the contentation of my mind,
you have showed me more pleasure herein, than if you had
given me a thousand pound; and I doubt not but that
hereby such fruit of good knowledge shall ensue, that it
shall well appear hereafter, what high and acceptable service
you have done unto God and the King. Which shall so
much redound to your honour, that besides God'^s reward,
you shall obtain perpetual memory for the same within this
realm. And as for me, you may reckon me your bondman
for the same. And I dare be bold to say, so may ye do my
Lord of Wurceiter K Thus, my lord, right heartily fare
ye well. At Forde, the xiiith day of August. [1687.]
Your own boundman ever,

T. Cantuarien.

CXCII. To Ceumwell.
My very angular and espedal good Lord, in my mostM^"^
hearty wise I commend me to your lordship. These shallCleoi).E.v.

[I See Letter clxxxviii.] *» [Hugh Latymer.] ^^'•^

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200 LETTERS. [1687.

Strype, be to give you most hearty thanks that any heart can think,

Cranmer, ^^^ ^y^^^ j^^ ^j^^ ^^^^ ^f ^^^^^ ^y which favoureth Grod's
p. 5^'

andApp. word, for your diligence at this time in procuring the

°' '^" King^s Highness to set forth the said God'^s word, and his
Gospel, by his Grace's authority K For the which act, not
only the King's Majesty, but also you shall have a per-
petual laud and memory of all them that be now, or here-
after shall be God's faithful people, and the favourers of bis

^ [This authority was doubtless not obtained without much difficulty;
for we learn from a letter addressed to Crumwell by Grafton the
printer, on this same day, the 28th of August 1537, that even after it
was granted, some persons were still incredulous. ^' Your lordship's
" moving our most gracious Prince to the allowance and licensing of
" such a work, hath wrought such an act worthy of praise, as never
" was mentioned in any chronicle in this realm : and as my Lord of
" Canterbury said, the tidings thereof did him more good than the gift
** of ten thousand pounds ; yet certain there are, which believe not that
" it pleased the King's Grace to license it to go forth. Wherefore if
" your lordship's pleasure were such, that we might have it licensed
** under your privy seal, it would be a defence at this present and in
" time to come, for all enemies and adversaries of the same." GraftOD
to Crumwell, in Strype, Cranin, p. 59.

The strong language which both Cranmer and Grafton use on this
occasion, cannot well be reconciled with the supposition, that English
translations of the Bible had been already placed within the reach of
the people by order of the King's Vicegerent. Yet a paragraph is
usually printed in CrumwelFs Injunctions of the preceding year, 1536,
which directs the whole Bible in Latin and English to be laid iu
every parish church " for every man to read and look therein.** See
Foxe, ActSf 4-0. vol. ii. p. 38?'; Collier, Eccles, Hist. vol. ii. p. 129;
Burnet, Reformat, vol. i. App. B. iii. No. 7. (Oxf. 1829.) But this pa-
ragraph is not found in the official copy in Cranmer*s Register, nor in-
deed in Wilkins*s Concilia, or the folio edition of Burnet; and the
fact seems to be, that it is an interpolation, adopted incautiously from
a draft which was afterwards altered.

It would appear then that no order was issued for placing the Eng-
lish Bible in churches before Crumwell's Injunctions of Sept. 1538;
where it is expressed in the following terms. ** Item ; That ye shall
** provide on this side the feast of next coming, one book of the

<< whole Bible of the largest volume in English, and the same set up in
" some convenient place within the said church that ye have cure of,
*' whereas your parisliiouers may most commodiously resort to the same
** and read it.'* Burnet, Ref, vol. i. App. B. iii. No. 11. And accordingly
Stow relates, that " this month of September, [1538,] Thomas Crum-
*' well. Lord Privy Seal, &c. sent forth Injunctions to all bishops
'^ and curates througli the realm, charging them to see that in every
** parish church the Bible of the largest volume printed in English were
" placed for all men to read in.'* Stow, Annals. Wilkins, it may be ob-
served, has placed Crumwell's second set of Injunctions which were
issued in 1538, under the same year as the first, namely, 1536. Con'
cilia, vol. iii. p. 815.]

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1537.] LETTERS. 801

word. And this deed you shall hear of at the great day,
when all things shall be opened and made manifest For
our Saviour Christ saith in the said Gospel, that whosoever
shrinketh from him and his word, and is abashed to profess
and set it forth before men in this world, He will refuse him
at that day : and contrary, whosoever constantly doth pro-
fess Him and his word, and studieth to set that forward in
this world, Christ will declare the same at the last day be-
fore his Father and all his angels, and take upon Him the
defence of those men.

These shall be farther to advertise your lordship, that
since my last coming from London into Kent ^^ I have found
the people of my diocese very obstinately ^ven to observe
and keep with solemnity the holidays lately abrogated '.
Whereupon I have punished divers of the offenders ; and
to divers 1 have given gentle monitions to amend. But in*
asmuch as by examination I have perceived that the people
were partly animated thereto by their curates, I have given
straight commandment and injunction unto all the parsons
and vicars within my diocese, upon pain of deprivation of
their benefices, that they shall not only, on their behalf,
cause the said holidays so abrogated from time to time, not
to be observed within their cures ; but also shall from hence-
forth present to me such persons of their parishes, as will
practise in word or deed contrary to that ordinance or any
other, which is, or hereafter shall be set forth by the King^s
Grace's authority, for the redress or ordering of the doc-
trine or ceremonies of this Church of England. So that
now I suppose, through this means, all disobedience and
contempt of the King's Grace's said acts and ordinances in
this behalf, shall be clearly avoided in my diocese hereafter :

^ [He was now enga^d in that Visitation, for which lie requested a
license from CrumweU in Letter clxxxiv.]

' [See the Act of Convocation by which thejr were abrogated, and
Hen.VIII/s Letter to the bishops for enforcing its observance, in
Wilkins, Concilia, vol. iii. p. 823. See also, in the Appendix, a niandate
issued by Cranmer, by the Kin^s direction, on the 19th of April 1637,
for celebrating the feast of St. Mark, notwithstanding the above named
ordinance.]

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aoa LETTERS. [1687.

not doubting also, but if every bishop in this realm had
commandment to do the same in their dioceses^ it would
avoid both much disobedience and contention in this said
realm. I would fain that all the enmity and grudge of the
people in this matter should be put from the King and his
Council; and that we, who be Ordinaries, should take it
upon us : or else I fear lest a grudge against the Prince and
his Council, in such causes of religion, should gender in
many of the people^s hearts a faint subjection and obedi-
ence.

™ But, my lord, if in the Court you do keep such holi-
days and fasting days as be abrogated, when shall we per-
suade the people to cease from keeping of them? For the
King's own house shall be an example unto all the realm to
break his own ordinances.

Over this, whereas your lordship hath twice written for
this poor man, William Gronnowe ", the bearer hereof, to
my Lord Deputy of Calice, for him to be restored to his
room ; as far as I understand^ it prevailed nothing at all;
for so he can get none answer of my Lord Deputy : so
that the poor man despaireth that your request shall do
him any good. If your lordship would be so good to
him^ as to obtain a bill, signed by the King^s Grace, to the
treasurers and controllers of Calice for the time being, com-
manding them to pay to the said W. Gronnowe his ac-
customed wages yearly, and to none other, your lordship
should not only not further trouble my Lord Deputy any
more, but also do a right meritorious deed. For if the poor
man be put thus from his living, he were but utteriy un-
done. Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you well. At
Ford, the xxviii. day of August. [1637. j

Your Lordship^s own ever,

T. Cantuariens.

"^ [This paragraph is inserted by the Archbishop's own hand in the
lower margin ; Uie rest of the Letter being written by his secretary.]
» [See Letter cc.]

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1687.] LETTERS.

CXCIII. ToCeumwell.

My very special good Lord^ in my right hearty wise I MSS.
commend me unto you. Likewise thanking you for your House!'^
loving and kind answer which you sent me by my servant WcRtmin-
Nevell, and especially for your good mind towards me con-cram-
ceming my debts® to the King^s Highness, which of all other ^*'*'
things lieth most nigh unto my stomach ; trusting for the poodence.
declaration of th'is your gentle heart towards me, not to be ^^'^^f^'^
forgotten on my behalf hereafter, as it shall lie in my power.
And as concerning such lands of mine as the King^s High-
ness is minded to have by exchange at Maydestone and
OttefordeP; forsomuch as I am the man that hath small
experience in such causes, and have no mistrust at all in my
prince in that behalf, I wholly commit unto you to do there-
in for me as by you shall be thought expedient, not
doubting but that you foresee as much for my commodity,
as you would that I should do for you in such a like
matter.

As touching the Prior of the Black Friars in Canterbury <l,
I have written nothing to you of him but that I will justify.
And whereas I understand, that the Custos Roiuhrum with-
in Nottynghamshire is depart this miserable life, this shall

^ See Letters lxxix. clxxxiv.

PfThe indenture by which this exchange was made, is dated the 30th
of Nov. 39 Hen. VIII. i. e. 1537. Hasted, Hut, of Kent, vol. i. p. 323.
Morice, the Archbishop's secretary, who was present at the conversation,

S'ves a curious account of the failure of Craumer*s attempt to preserve
noil, which was included in the same exchange. '' My lord, minded
<* to have retained Knole unto himself, said, * That it was too small a
" * house for his Majesty.' * Marry,' said the King, • I had rather have it
** * than this house,' meaning Otlord, ' for it standeth on a better soil.
^* * This house standeth low and is rheumatic, like unto Croydon, where
'^ < I could never be without sickness. And as for Knole, it standeth
'^ < on a sound, perfect, wholesome ground : and if I should make
'' ' abode here, as I do surely mind to do now and then, I will live at
** * Knole and most of my house shall live at Otford.' And so by this
" means both those houses were delivered up to the King's hands."
Strype, Cranmery p. 436. For a history and description of the Archi-
episcopal residences at these places and at Ford, see Hasted, Hut. cf
Aenty vol. i. pp. 323. 338. and vol. iii. p. 624.]
^ [See Letter clxxi.J

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204 LETTERS. [1537.

be to desire and pray you, that you will write your favour-
able letters unto my Lord Chancellor for the preferment of
a friend of mine there, named Antony Nevell, who is a man
of right good wisdom, experience, and discretion, and useth
himself very indifferently in the country.

Over this you shall understand that I have received from
the King'*s Highness three letters concerning the collection
of the subsidy ^ ; one for Canterbury, and one for the shire,
and the third for Rochester; with the which I have received
but one commission, which is alonely for Canterbury town.
Wherefore I pray you that the other two commisdons may
be sent, or else to signify unto me to whom they are deli-
vered. I have sent unto my Commissary* at Calice to
withdraw his process against Mr. Chamberleyn, and there-
fore he not to doubt in that matter. Thus, my lord, right
heartily fare you well. At Forde, the xxxi. day of August.
[1537.]

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.

To my very singular good lord,
my Lord Privy Seal.

CXCIV. To POTKYNS.

WilkiDs, I commend me unto you. And whereas I have received

voi.iii!^' the Eing^s most honourable letters^ concerning the speedy

P- 827> declaration of his Grace"*s pleasure, for the abolishing of cer-

lyn^Ex- tain holidays named in the late Act of Convocation, whereof

^^- the transumpt I send you here withal ; my mind is there-

Qmvocat. fore, that you cause, with all expedition, the Eing^s pleasure

c [See Letters cxli. clxxxi.]

• rjohn Butler.]

< [This Letter has been inserted here on the authority of Wilkins :
but It seems rather to belong to the preceding year; for the King's
letter, which gave occasion to it, is probably that of the 11th of August,
1536. See Letter cxcii. p. 201 ; Wilkins, Concilia^ vol. iii. p. 894.]

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1687.] LETTERS. 206

in this behalf to be published unto all the clergy within the
deaneries of my peculiars, to the intent that the said Act of
Convocation may from henceforth be put in due exercise, ac-
cording to the purport and effect of the same. Thus fare
you well. At Ford, the 16th day of September.

T. Cantuarien.

CXCV. ToCeumwell.

My very singular and especial good Lord, in my most mss.
hearty wise I commend me to your lordship. These shall be Chapter
to give to your lordship right hearty thanks for this bearer, Westmio-
Thomas Wakefeld my servant, for as I understand, youJJ^^^^n.,
have been many ways his special good lord, beseeching Coires-
you of continuance towards him. And albeit your lord-^^^^^'
ship wrote unto me of late to stay such suit as should be
made to me concerning the institution of the parsonage of
St. Quintyne of Spellacke** within the marches of Calice,
which I have hitherto accomplished accordingly, yet I shall
nevertheless beseech your lordship, forsomuch as I per-
cdve that this my said servant is, by virtue of the Eing'^s
advowson, presented thereunto, to be no less his good lord
in this his suit than you have hitherto been, and that the
rather at this mine instant request ; so that having right
thereunto, he may enjoy the same with your favour : and
that upon your lordship^s pleasure known in this behalf, he
may have a token from you unto my Chancellor for his in-
stitution^; for the which you shall bind him to do unto
your lordship his both daily prayer and service, and me to
requite the same if it lie m my power. Thus, my lord,

" [See Letter clxxxix.1

* [The institution of Wakefeld seems not to have taken place, for on
the 3nd of October 1537, the Archbishop admitted Robert Pabnere
to the church of the parish Sti. Quintini de Spellache within the
marches of Calais? vacant by the death of John Haybume. Cramner^t
RegUter, fol 362, b.]

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906

LETTERS.

[1687.

right heardly fare you well. At Forde, the xx. day of Sep.
tember.

Your own assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourahle and my
singular good lord^ my Lord
Privy Seal.

MSS.

Chapter

House,

Westmiii-

tter;

Tkeol.

Tracti,

vol.xH.

p. 86.

CXCVL ToaJusticbt.

In my right hearty wise I commend me to you. And
whereas divers times heretofore, of mere love and favour,
which in my heart I bear to you unfeignedly, I have moved,
exhorted, and inasmuch as in me was, allured you to alter
your judgment, minding to bring you to favour the word of
God and the knowledge thereof, to the intent that by your
good ensample the King^s subjects within my diocese might
the rather be obedient and willing to conceive and apply
themselves to the observation of such ordinances, as by the
King^s Majesty and his learned counsel in the laws of God,
should from time to time be set forth and published, as well
concerning the abcJishment and extirpation of superstition,
as also of the Bishop of Rome^s erroneous doctrine, which in
many points within this realm still sticketh in men^s hearts ;
this notwithstanding, (as far as I many ways perceive) my
said exhortation and good intent towards you taketh little
effect ; whidi thing I assure you is no little grief to me.
But inasmuch as it is better for me in time, after a friendly

f [The following corresiiondence between Cranroer and a Kentish
jastice is printed m>m copies in the handwriting of one of the Arch-
bishop's secretaries, which may be conjectured, from the place where
they are found, to have been prepared ror the information of Crumwell.
An endorsement by a later hand, expresses an opinion that Bishop
Fisher was one of the parties in the dispute; but that prelate was exe-
cuted more than two years before, on the 22nd of June 1535. It is
however easier to ol^ect to the name of Fisher, than to substitute an-
other in its place. But it mav be observed, that Cranmer*s secretary
Morice, in a letter priDted by Foxe, mentions Sir John Baker, Sir Chris-
topher Hales, and oir Thomas MoiJe, as Kentish '^ Justices who favour-
'^ ed the cause and fiustion of the papists, and who were no small fools.**
Foxe, Jcti, S^c, vol. iii. p. 645.]

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1687.] LETTERS. 207

fashion, to be plain with you, than so long to forbear^ that
both you and I may repent our dallying, if the King, or ra-
ther God, shall by opportunity see just cause to punish our
overmuch untowardness ; I will at this time open fully my
mind to you, and eftsoons exhort you either to be in such opin-
ion and faith as is by the word of Grod and the Eing^s ordi-
nances prescribed and set forth to his people without colour ;
or else I cannot see the contrary, but of necessity I must be
constrained to complain to the Eing^s Majesty of you in that
behalf, which I were very loth to do, and it is contrary to
my mind and usage hitherto ; nevertheless, if you overmuch
constrain me, I will not fail to do it.

For I am fully persuaded that it will little avail me, either
by myself or by such as I shall substitute, to preach within
my diocese the word of God or the Eing^s ordinance, you
and yours being reputed and known, both of the commons
and gentlemen of the shire, of a contrary opinion to me. In
some thing myself (beades the common fame that I hear
of you) I have experience of your judgment, that you take
not indifferently such things as of late years hath been set
forth by the authority of the word of God ; and besides thb,
it is known to many, that you let, inasmuch as in you is, the
people in my diocese to exercise themselves in the know-
ledge of God'^s laws ; but that from time to time you promote
them to all trouble and vexation 2, without any discerning
good knowledge from manifest error, so that (as it is thought)
you rather thereby intend, to extinguish the whole know-
ledge of Grod, than to have Him by his word known and glo-
rified. I pray you what other ways was there at any time
invented better to maintidn, continue, or uphold the Bishop
of Rome^s usurped authority, and other superstitiousness,
than to banish and suppress the word of God and the know-
ledge thereof specially from the simple and common people,
and to restrain the same to the knowledge of a certain few
persons ; yea this thing hath been universally the only decay
of our faith. And why then may not men think {you] to

* [See Letter ccxvii.]

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208 LETTERS. [15S7.

be a special favourer covertly of his authority, when you
bear the people such a hatred for favouring of Grod^'s word,
which word hath uttered unto all the world his crafty in-
ventions.

Surely you so handle yourself in this thing, that it is not
only known to the people that you hate God's word, but
also that you cannot abide any reformation or alteration of
abuses in the Church, or amongs the people ; uttering your
words and communication in such wise, that every thing that
is set forth contrary to the late custom used by the authority
of Rome, must seem to you and yours new learning and er-
roneous. And again, if any ceremony or ordinance of the
Church be but brought to his first sense and meaning, and
cut away from superstition, by and by it is blasted abroad
under your authority and by such as appertaineth to you,
that all old fashions are restored again, spite of this new doc-
trine and new preachers ; and so declared and communed of,
that the people daily conceiveth great murmuration both
against the ordinances, against the King'^s Majesty, his
Council, and against me and all other that by our preaching
declareth such abuses and superstition as hath been hitherto
brought from Rome, which would restore God his honour,
obedience to the prince, and peace and tranquillity to the
realm.

And to the intent that you shall perceive that these things
be not feigned ne ima^ned without cause, you shall under-
stand, that (besides the common and vulgar fame touching
the premises) certain of your servants and family lately, since
thb new book of the clergy's determination came forth by
the King's Grace's commandment S hath not only misre-
ported the said book in divers and many things, (as I [am]
informed,) but also hath spoken such words or like in effect
as hereafter ensueth, that is to say, to move divers by these
words, * I am sorry for you, and I can do no less than

* show unto you that thing that I know to be true, and

* that the King's book willeth ; for of truth it alloweth all

* [Vii. The Imtitution of a Christian Man. See Letter clxxxiv.J

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1687] LETTERS. 209

* the old fashions, and putteth all the knaves of the new
^ learning to silence, so that now they dare not speak one

* word/ willing them to leave the teachers of the New Tes-
tament, for they be but knaves, cobblers, and such other
abominable heretics ; further saying, that ^ my master and

* divers other could have favoured you much better, sav-
^ ing that you smelled of the new learning/ If these, and
such like words, be not both contentious and seditious,
I know not what may be cause of sedition in this matter.
For surely I think that those which begun the rebellion in
Lincolnshire^ had no better occasion to turn the people^s
hearts against their prince, than such manner of communi-
cation as is used here by your maintenance, or at the least
trusting to your defence. Which thing much grieveth me,
yea it pitieth me not a little, to think that you, having so
kind and loving a Sovereign Lord as the King's Grace is
to you, of whom you have received no small benefits, but
over that of his great goodness hath called you to so high
estimation as to be reputed of his Council, should thus slen-
derly regard bis godly intent in the reformation of doctrine
within this his realm, that by your comfort the vulgar peo-
ple conceiveth hatred towards such things as by the princess
commandment are set forth. It is every where within
Kent spoken and murmured, that the people dare not apply
themselves to read God^s word, for fear of your threats at
Sizes and Sessions.

And whereas your servants report that all things are re-
stored by this new book to their old use, both of ceremonies,
pilgrimages, purgatory, and such other, calling those that of
late hath preached of the abuses of them, false knaves and men
worthy of no credence : truly you and your servants be so
blinded, that you call old that is new, and new that is old ^ ;
and of malice, as it appeareth, you will not learn of them

. *» [See, for an account of this rebellion, Burnet, Ref, vol. i. p. 456.]

' [T^U5 also Latymer, " Ye say it is new learning. Now I tell you,
" it is the old learning. Yea, ye say, it is old heresy new scoured. Now
<< I tell you it is old truths long rusted with canker, and now new made
" bright and scoured." Todd, Life ofCranmer, vol. i. p. 220 See also
Cranmer's Letter to Queen Mary. (vol. i. Letter ccxcix.)]
VOL. I. P

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210 LETTERS. [1537.

that can tell you, what is new and what is old. But in very
deed the people be restored by this book to their old good
usages, although they be not restored to their late abused
usages ; for the old usage was in the primitive Church, and
nigh thereunto when the Church was most purest, nothing
less so to phantasy of ceremonies, pilgrimage, purgatory,
saints, images, works, and such like, as hath these three or
four hundred years been corruptly taught. And if men
will indiiFerently read these late declarations, they shall well
perceive, that purgatory, pilgrimages, praying to saints,
images, holy bread, holy water, holy days, merits, works,
ceremonies, and such other, be not restored to their late ac-
customed abuses, but shall evidently perceive that the word
of God hath gotten the upper hand of them all, and hath
set them in their right use and estimation ; although it be
otherwise reported by them that would fain have the people
maintained in sedition, and continue in blindness and in dis<
obedience.

Wherefore in mine opinion, if you mind and intend that
the hearts of the people should be given to the law of God
and their prince, it appertaineth as well to you as to roe
to open to the people, in time and place convenient, how
much they are bound to give Grod eternal thanks, laud, and
praise, that in their time it hath pleased his goodness thus
manifestly to show Himself by his word to them, whereby
they may perceive in what error, superstition, and blindness
they were led in of late years : and that they have no less
cause to give Him thanks, in that He hath sent us so good
and virtuous a prince, as to cause these things to be made
open to them both by his word, and otherwise by de-
claration of learned men ; and not thus to bear in hand and
glory that in all things the people must do as they did be-
fore, and whatsoever hath been preached by these new
preachers are mere heresies: so that in thus reporting,
bringeth in a grudge and hatred no small number of people
one against another.

And surely if it were not for the favour I bear to you, I
would call before me such of your servants and other that

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1687.] LETTERS. 211

appertain to you^and proceed against them as against heretics^
(if they will maintain either pilgrimage, purgatory, images or
saints, merits or works, as they have been heretofore by
many both taught and used, by the space of two or three
hundred years,) for all their brag; and therefore let them look
more wisely upon this new book than so to report of it.
Howbeit, I trust your wisdom and discretion is such, that
you will see your family and retinue so ordered, that they
may be agreeable to such things as are truly set forth for
the preservation of the common opinion and religion within
this realm. And trusting also, that both on your part and
on theirs likewise, quietness amongs the people may be ob-
served, and love towards our prince engendered ; to the fur-
therance whereof every man in his state is bound both of
duty and of conscience.

CXCVII. A Justice to Cranmer.

In right humble manner I recommend me unto your lordship : msS.
ascertaining you, that yesterday I received your letters at Mynster Chapter
in the Isle of Thanet, written at Forde the 2nd day of this month, Westmin.
thinking continually before my receipt thereof, that your lord-*^«''5
ship had been much more my good lord than I may well now Tracts^
perceive that ye be. And even as before your lordship knew me ^^^- "*
or any part of my conversation, ye judged me to be a man that
favoured not the word of God, so, notwithstanding your often fa-
vourable acceptation of me into your presence heretofore, and
bearing of mine answer thereunto directly made unto you, your
lordship, without cause, persevereth in that opinion, in manner
as if ye had so tried me; and for answer hereto I pray you,
my lord, pardon me of my plainness ensuing.

I let you know reverently, that I love God and his most blessed
word, believe in Him, dread Him, confess Him, and am as obedient
to Him and to his laws as ye be, and as a true Christian oweth to
be: wherefore as in that point your judgment doth me wrong.
Also, my lord, I trust verily in God, and doubt it nothing, but
that if ye do your duty to God as a good Christian prelate, (which
I pray God give you grace to do,) and also your duty to the King*s

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212 LETTERS. [16S7.

Majesty on your behalf as appertaiueth to your liooour, as I have
ever intended to do^ have done, and will do continually to my
feeble power^ neither of us shall have cause to repent our deal,
ing, neither rebukeful untowardness shall be seen to be in either
of us. And, my lord, I have not used to colour or dissemble to
advance or extol any thing which the King*s Highness hath set
forth to his people -, and if ye know that I have, do your duty by
complaint, as ye threat me by your letters : and 1 tnist that little
honour shall ensue to you by your complaint, being grounded upon
so little truth.

And as touching the preaching of your lordship and of your
substitutes, ye cannot truly accuse me to have impugned against
the same. And as for the experience which your lordship hath of
my judgment, that I take not indifferently such things as of late
hath been set forth by the authority of the word of God, I am
ready to answer to your knowledge and experience therein, when-
soever I shall be called. Also I say expressly, that neither ye nor
any other knoweth, nor can prove, that I have let any people
of your diocese to exercise themselves in the knowledge of God*s
laws, neither have promoted any such to trouble or vexation.
And I dare well say, that none honest man thinketh, that I rather
intend to extinguish the whole or any part of the knowledge of
God, than to have Him by his word known and glorified.. But
your lordship, being prone to hear the tongues of false liars your
explorators, thus listeth by their false reports to touch me with
your letters.

And as to the false traitors in Lincolnshire, which ye ascribe to
be adherents to the Bishop of Rome, and subsequently ye parify
me unto them 5 my lord, I think ye show thereby your good will
and charity towards me to be but little; for I let your lordship
know, that I am as true a subject to the King as ye be, and
no papist, nor set any more by the Bishop of Rome, or his tradi-
tions or usurpations, than I think he setteth by you. And un-
tnily ye conclude thereupon, that I bear the people hatred for fa-
vouring of God*s word, affirming that I so handle myself that it is
not unknown to the people, that I hate God*s word ; and also
that I cannot abide any reformation or alteration of abuses in the
Church or among the people : which matter it seemeth, by your
letters, that your Lordship hath gathered by my words and com-
munications brought unto you by the false tongues before re-

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1637] LETTERS. 218

hearsed -, and yet ye give faith and credit unto them as though ye
had heard or seen me to show myself. I marvel much of that
your light credence therein, not hearing me which am a party to
be called thereunto ; which lightness of credence doth not well in
so great a prelate as your lordship is. After this your lordship
imputeth much default in me, that by mine authority and by such
as appertain to me, ceremonies or ordinances of the Church cut
away from superstition, is blasted to be restitution of all old
fashion?, spite of this new doctrine and new preachers -, whereupon
your lordship, by your letters, doth express specially many great
offences committed against the ordinances, to the King's Ma-
jesty, his Council, and yourself; and for approbation thereof ye re-
hearse divers misdemeanours committed by certain of my servants,
sythe that the book, which ye call the Clergy's determinations,
hath come forth by the King's commandment. My lord, I have
none authority but of the King's Majesty, and I trust I know
how to use that according to his Grace's pleasure and laws, and
will not let so to do, how many soever espies ye set to look upon
me. And of the said book I have spoken openly in the last Ses-
sions, at Canterbury and elsewhere, so that my words were
manifest, and I will abide by them; and let my servants answer to
theirs : for, my lord, ye shall find me to be no seditious nor con-
tentious person, nor ye can prove me to be a maintainer of com-
munication sounding or extending to any such abominable effect
as ye write of, nor that any person hath had or conceived any oc-
casion to trust to any defence in such wicked matter. And it is
not honourable to you so to write, unless that ye can prove it, as
I am sure ye cannot.

And as touching the benefits by me received by the King's High-
ness, your lordship needeth not to put me in remembrance of
them, for I should show too much ingrate and unnatural dispo-
sition in me, if I should not recognize, that I have received of his
Grace's benignity and liberality an hundred fold more good and
goodness, than ever I shall be able to deserve or recompense unto
his Grace, as your lordship and many other have done semblably,
which I perfectly and well knew, before that I knew your lord-
ship ; and therefore have alway considered^ that my duty is to
pray to Almighty God daily for preservation of his most royal es-
tate, and with my body and all that I have, to serve him unto my
life's end.

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814 LETTERS. [1687.

And as for my threats at Assizes and Sessions^ Ego palam locu^
tus sum ; and am sure that I neither offended God^ my Sorereigo
Lord^ nor my own conscience therein, in such wise as ye write.
And as to my blindness in reading the said new book, of truth I
am so blind, that when I read in it, it seenieth to me that it is so
full and perfect of itself, that there needeth none other doctor or
clerk to be expositor thereof: wherefore I and all other the
King's true and unlearned subjects be much bound to pray for
his Grace, that hath set forth among us such a noble and comfort-
able work for the advancement of Christian faith and true doc-
trine.

And, my lord, if ye have matter or cause sufficient to convent
before you any of my servants, or other that appertain to me, and
to proceed against them as against heretics, I pray you let not the
favour or love that ye pretend to bear to me be the let thereof; for
your lordship gtveth me now little cause to trust unto it ; and
therefore I may think mine own poor heart being set in aflectioo
toward you, next unto my Sovereign Lord, to have had a weary
journey. God preserve your lordship. Written at Sandwiche
this Wednesday morning, the 3d day of October. Ano. 39. [1537.]

CXCVIII. To A Justice.

MSS. After hearty eominendations ; these shall be to signify

Hous^' unto you, that I have received your letters dated at Sand-
Westmin- whiche the third day of this present month of October, an-
Th^i. swering to my late letters to you directed the second day of
Tracts, the said months the contents and circumstances whereof I
have thoroughly pondered and considered ; by which I per-
ceive that you cannot well bear the exhortation of your
friend in such things as of duty appertaineth one to ad-
monish another ; as specially it beoometh every man with-
out respect to do, when the thing toucheth Grod'^s quarrel
and the princess ; for you make an answer unto my said let-
ters with such comparisons, and so clearly avoiding yourself
from every conjecture and reason objected, that you would
seem to be out of suspicion of all together : which thing, if
you could persuade unto me to be true, I would gladly

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1637-] LETTERS. 216

abide both reproach for writing so unadvisedly, and also
make you a large amends, so that the most part of my dio-
cese could likewise believe the same as well as I. Howbeit
I am twice sorry to find you in this taking ; once, by cause
you set so light by your friend'^s honest admonition ; again,
by cause you be of that courage, rather to be content to be
evil spoken of by many that dare not once tell you a word
to your face, but in murmuration all behind your back,
than to abide your friend^'s plain, simple, and loving moni-
ti(»a, which telleth you what other men heareth, talketh, and
judgeth of you.

And now to come somewhat to touch your letter particu-
larly, you shall right well understand that you are much de-
ceived, to think that I withdraw my good mind, or that at
any time either now or heretofore I have not loved you in
my heart, but as it were dissembled all this while. And in-
asmuch as you say that I judged you, before I knew you,
not to be a favourer of God's word, and so doth perast in
that opinion, in manner as if I had so tried you ; in that you
may perceive that there was a fame of you in this behalf be-
fore I knew you ; which declareth that neither I nor none of
mine hath invented any such things against you of late;
and therefore, the fame not yet quenched made me to
write my mind so plainly to you as I did. As for the pro-
fession of your religion, that you love God and his most
blessed word, believe in Him, dread Him, &c, I did never
doubt in that behalf at all, but that you had a fervent zeal
to Him, saving that it may be doubtful, whether that zeal
were according to knowledge, or no : specially con^dering
that in your Sessions and elsewhere, you be not so diligent
nor circumspect to open and set forth things requisite of ne-
cesaty to our salvation, (as the point of our justification by
Chrisf s passion only, the difierence between faith and works,
works of mercy to be done before voluntary works, the obe-
dience towards our prince by the authority of the word of
God, and such other concerning the stifi^ opinion of the peo-
ple in alteration of ordinances and laws in the Church, as
holidays, fasting days, &c.,) as you be in the declaraUon

p 4

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216 letters; [1637.

and setting forth of mere voluntary things, of the which we
have no ground ne foundation of Scripture. The abuses of
which voluntary things have been so nourished in the
Church, that the estimation of them hath put out of place, or
at the least greatly obscured and hindered the very articles
of our faith, and such things as of necessity and upon pain
of damnation we are bound both to believe and do ; yet not-
withstanding must they be at Sessions and elsewhere in

restored to their old use, without any menti(»a made of
the abuses, and without any word mentioned of things ne-
cessary for our salvation. Me think God and the King hath
wrong, in thus declaring the worst, and speaking never a
word of the best ; God first, by cause his commandment is
not preferred, and then the King, by cause [he] hath caused
great labours and puns to be taken to discern the one from
the other ; the best to be worthiest esteemed, and the other to
have their degree and right use, the abuses cut away. And
yet the matter is so handled, and every thing restored to his
old use by your declaration, as I am credibly informed^ that
no abuses is found, and that it seemeth that the King and
his Council are worthy of no laud and praise at all for their
great pains, expenses, and labours ; and the people never-
theless led in blindness.

Surely therefore I do not impute this to you, as doing it
of malice or of purpose, but rather for lack of some know-
ledge in not discerning sincerely things commanded by God
and by his word, from things ordained by man and ground-
ed upon mere devotion, without any foundation and ground
of the word of God ; which manner of discerning these two
things, no doubt these many years hath not been greatly
regarded, pondered, ne weighed, but rather wittingly let
slip, by cause that without controlment of the word of God,
men might build whatsoever they list for their own glory,
commodity, advantage, and lucre. These things shall you
evidently espy, if you advisedly ponder these late and last
determinations of the Clergy <1 : and I marvel that you do

<i [The Institutum of a Christian Man. See Letters clxxxiv. cxcvi.]

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1637.] LETTERS. 217

not perceive this in reading the same, seeing that, as you say,
they be so plain they need no declaration.

As touching that you lay to my charge in sundry places
of your letters, that I am light of credence and prone to
hear false liars my explorators, thinking that I go about to
set spies for you ; I trust in your conscience you do not think
so as you have written, for hitherto I have not so handled
myself, neither to you ne to none other ; at the least I dare
say that I am out of common fame thereof. If you have of
me no better estimation for my friendly admonition, I may
think that you have borne little good mind to me hitherto,
thus suddenly to lay to my charge that [of] which no man
living (besides you) can accuse me of suspicion, much less
of proof. And do you think that I am so ready, at the in-
formations of light persons, to write so earnestly to such a
one as you be, both of experience and wisdom in no small
estimation, not having both manifest conjectures, proofs
some, and vulgar fame sufficient, to inform me thereunto ?
Surely, notwithstanding your imagination in this behalf, I
may not wink at such things as be by common fame and
great likelihood opened to me, specially when the matter
tendeth to disquietness, murmur, or disobedience. For if I
had intended so to undermine you, (as you pretend I do)
you may trust me, surely, that I would never have opened
so plainly to you my mind as I have done, but have
declared and proved my grief so to the King'^s Grace
and his Council, not doubting but that I should rather have
thereby had laud and praise than any dishonour, mine in-
tent thoroughly known to the King^s Majesty in that be-
half.

And where you say, that I parify you to the false trai-
tors in Lincolnshire, thinking thereby to show my goodwill
and charity towards you to be little, and so thereupon you
declare your true obedience to the King^s Majesty ; Sir,
although you have uncharitably received my letter, and ga-
thered upon me in this point more than can be proved justly,
yet did I not intend herein to break charity with you, or to
bear you any worse will, in declaring mine opinion, what I

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218 LETTERS. [16S7.

thought your servants^ words and such other might prove to^
having for example that such like words was the grouod
and foundation of the rebellion lately conceived in Lincoln-
shire. And to be plain with you, I am sorry to perceive
how ready you be to ascribe that to yourself, which was only
laid to your servants, for such words as I suppose I can
justly prove against them. And therefore when I write
this parification, as you call it, of the rebels of Lincolnshire,
I nothing thought less than to compare any man hereabout
to them ; only I showed what seditious words might do here,
as it did there ; for I think that if such monitions had been
in time there sent to wise men, it would never have come to
so great a ruffle as it did. And I do assure you (by cause
the pacifying of seditiousness as much appertaineth to you
as to me) I had thought when I wrote that my said letter
to you, you would rather have required of me the names of
your servants, the time and place, and to whom those words
were spoken, than thus, by taking to yourself the defence of
your said servants, impute that the matter was specially re-
hearsed against you.

As touching many other things at large in your letter^ of
your hatred towards the people for favouring of the word of
God, of your interpreting new and old fashions, of your
open speaking at Sessions, or elsewhere, both of the new
book and of other things, and of your threats there ; for so
much as you allege this text. Ego palam locuhis sum^ I
think in very deed that your open speaking hath engen-
dered much grudge amongs the people, and also putteth
your own servants in this courage and comfort, thus with-
out discretion to babble and talk such slanderous and sedi-
tious words as they do.

And therefore, to make an end, I require you not to take
my monition to the woi*st, but as you would accept the mo-
nition of him that loveth you better than he that dare not
tell you his mind according to his conscience. And as for
that that I have done hitherto by my letters, you have no
cause why you should take it but after a charitable manner,
considering that it is our private and secret communication.

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1637.] LETTERS. «19

And if you cannot thuB take it, then I remit the judgment of
my letters to the King and his Council, and to the report of
such as shall be called before them for the same. And now
where upon occasion of my other letter you wish me that
God should give me grace to do my office, truly I can no
less do than thank you therefore, requiring you, (as you
shall from time to time see cause why) that you will both
earnestly and plainly admonish me of such things as you
shall think in your conscience worthy of reformation. And
I trust I shall not only better accept your admonitions
than you have done mine, but shall in tny heart also yield
unto you condign thanks for the same.

CXCIX. A Justice to Cranmer.

After due reverence as appertaineth to your lordship remem- mss.
bered, it may please you to know that yesterday before noon I re- Cbaptcr
ceived your second letters, whereby I perceive that your lordship Westmin-
calleth your former letters to me directed, which I received atj^""?
Mynster in Thanett> *' a friendly exhortation.** And ye allege Tracttt
that I cannot bear the same : which allegation it seemeth ye make ^^*' "*
because of certain comparisons comprised in mine answer to your
lordship thereunto made. My lord, ye may be assured that your
said former letters distempered not me in such wise, that I for-
gat wherein I made my comparisons^ for they be such as I may
well make, and eftsoons hereby I affirm them. And as to your
lordship*s friendly exhorution, albeit that ye be an high prelate
and percase deeply seen in divinity^ and I a man but meanly
learned in morality^ I despair not so much in myself as to think,
that I caimot discern between a friendly exhortation or admonition,
and a captious imi)etition or dangerous commmation. And
where your lordship offereth to abide reproach, or to make me
amends, in case that I could persuade uuto you mine to be

true, as 1 have heretofore written, I will not desire any of those to
be had ; but I will make recompense to myself by being ware of
your lordship hereafter. And, my lord, I know well that honest
men of this shire be not in such fear of me, as to forbear to speak
to me presently as they think, nor use to detract me, as ye write.

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LETTERS. [1587.

And where your lordship, touching the particulars of mine
answer to your said former letters, writeth, that your judgment
conceived of me before ye knew me, in that I favoured not the word
of God, and your perseverance in the same, argueth that there
was a fame of me in that behalf before ye knew me ; it seemeth
to be but a weak argument, and thereto I say and I think verily,
that ye never knew nor heard of any such fame, but that ye in-
vented that objection against me for another cause, which 1 well
remember. For when I came first to your presence, which was
at Otford, and moved you therein, ye justified not that your judg-
ment by any fame thereof being upon me, but advised me to ap-
ply study of Scripture ; which hitherto I durst never enterprise,
for doubt that I should, with little learning and less discretion,
take upon me high knowledge, as I see many do nowadays.

And such things as ye impute default in me for matters not set
forth in Sessions^ which be requisite for our salvation ; those
things be more pertinent to the office and part of a standing
preacher in a pulpit, than to a sitting justiciar in a temporal ses-
sion of peace ^; and what your lordship meaneth by voluntary
things set forth in Sessions, which ye allege have greatly obscured
our faith and such things as we be bound to believe and do upon
pain of damnation, I know not; and I never heard the King's
Courts of Sessions so defamed as your lordship doth with your
pen, writing that the worst been there declared, and of the best
never a word spoken. Thus your lordship taketh mine opinion
by the reports of the tongues of such false persons as 1 have
written of to your lordship before 5 and in the process of this
matter it may be reasonably gathered upon the writing to me, that
a session of the King's laws cannot be laudably kept, unless there
be in manner a sermon of divinity clerkly made therein. Where-
unto ye add great lack of discretion in men between things com-
manded by God and by his word, and things ordained by man

^ [This plea, however conclusive it may now appear, was probdblyof
little avail in the reign of Henry VIII ; for at that time points of di-
vinity were not unfrequently handled on such occasions. For in-
stance, when the King commanded the bishops and clergy to preach
in favour of his supremacy, he also directed the iustices of the peace
'* at their sitting in Sizes and Sessions, to persuade, show, and declare
<' unto the people the tenor, effect, and purpose of the premises in such
'' wise as the said Bishops and Clergy may the better execute their
** said duties.** See Burnet, Ref. vol. ui. A pp. B. ii. No. 32.]

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15871 LETTERS. 221

and grounded of mere devotion, without any foundation or ground
of the word of God. I suppose that few men have so little dis-
cretion as to tbink^ that liberal things proceeding but of devotion
be to be done or practised, and the commandment of God to be
omitted ; albeit I doubt not but that Almighty God acceptetb to
his pleasure good things done which proceed of mere devotion,
though that the thing be not expressly commanded to be done
by the word of God ; or else all foundations of the ecclesiastical
things and other like perpetuities be of little reputation.

Also your lordship marvelleth that I do not perceive things
which ye write of, in reading the last determination of the Clergy,
because I say they be so plain that they need no declaration ; and
I marvel more that ye so marvel, ere that ye know or hear mine
intelligence in them. And most heartily 1 beseech your lordship
to let me know your manifest conjectures, proofs, and vulgar fame
which ye write off; whereupon ye have grounded, or reasonably
may ground yourself to impeach me by your former letters as ye
have done, for till your lordship jso letteth me know by some
reasonable mean, I cannot think but that ye have dealt hardly
with me and uncharitably. And let the openers to you of those
things and such other as ye may not wink at, be known ; and 1
doubt not but that they shall be seen to be such persons as 1
have written of, and thereby also ye shall know me better than
ye do. And hitherto, I am sure, that I have been as vigilant to
things tending to disquietness, murmur, or disobedience, as any
poor man of my degree in this shire, and have detested them as
much ', and because that it seemeth that divers of my servants
offended your lordship in speaking of some words, 1 pray you
send fur them, and upon due proof thereof made, use them ac-
cording to their demerits.

And where I have written. Ego palam locutut sum, let the
hearers testify, and I am ready to make answer; and beseech
Almighty God to grant me grace never to have more dangerous
matter to answer unto than that ; and I doubt not but that I have
so bonie myself hitherto, and trust in God to do hereafter, that 1
shall not need to dread the complaints of your lordship nor of any
other ; and so finally I intend truly to serve God and the King
during my poor life, as well as God will give me grace, and so to
live in good tranquillity and little care of evil tongues, what ears or
eyes so ever be bent against me. And so also I pray God your lord-

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282 LETTERS. [1687.

ship may do. Written at Raynham, the first Sunday of this
month of October. [7 Oct. 1537.]

CC. To CttUMWELL.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, after most hearty corn-

House/ mendations unto your lordship; these shall be to signify
Westmin- ^nto the same, that you shall receive news by this bearer
well's Cor- Mr. Hethe ^ which of late I have received out of Germany
^*^^f7j from Osiander ; requiring you, my lord, to give further cre-
ifinai, dence unto this said bearer, touching such things as he shall
declare unto you.

And albeit that 1 have written to your lordship so many
times in the favour of that poor man, William GronnoS,
to be restored unto his room at Calice, that I am at my wit^s
end farther how to behave myself to do him good by my
suit, considering that your letters, three times already di-
rected in his favour, prevaileth nothing at all ; yet once
again, having in respect both his importune suit, and also
his extreme poverty, or rather undoing, I shall beseech your
lordship, inasmuch as you have thus far attempted in his
behalf, that you will not now leave off your good intent to-
wards him ; for if you do, surely I do not only count the
man undone, but also take that this his extreme handling
shall be a great hinderance to the advancement of Grod'^s
word ; and I beseech you procure, that there may be one of
the Council of Caleis that earnestly favoureth the further-
ance thereof. Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you well.
At Forde, the 9th day of October.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my
singular good lord, my Lord Privy
Seal.

*" [See Letter lxxxix. clii. For an account of the negotiations be-
tween Hen. Mil. and the German protestants, see Seckendorf, Com-
ment, de Lutheran, lib. iii. §. xxxix. and lib. iii. §. Ixvi. (b) ]

f [See Letter cxcii.]

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1587.] LETTERS. 228

CCI. To Crumwell.

My singular good Lord, I heartily commend me unto MSS.
you. And whereas my trusty servant Master l^'owker, my House ^
physician^ being a man of good learning and conversation, Wcutmin-
hath exercised the office of a physician of long continuance well's Cor-
with the Prior and Convent of Christ's Church, in Canter- ^^^^°^"
bury, and liad the fees, profits, and commodities belonging Original
to the same ; the which said office, by the custom of the
house, hath always been esteemed a perpetuity, and the
Prior promised me, at Christmas last, that my said servant
should have a patent thereof during his life ; the which
his former promise the Prior nothing regarding sithen that
time will now in no wise condescend that my said servant
shall have any patent of the said office ; wherefore^ in con-
sideration of the good service he hath done to the said Prior
and Convent at all times, I beseech your good lordship to
direct your letters to the said Prior and Convent, requiring
them without further delay to seal and deliver the said let-
ters patents, whereby ye shall not only do a very good deed,
but also bind my said servant to be your daily headman,
and with his poor service to be at all times at your lord-
ship's commandment. And thus heartily fare you well.
From Lamehithe, the xith day of this month of November.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.

To the Right Honourable and my
singular good lord, my Lord Privy
Seal.

ecu. To Crumiwell.

My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I MSS.
commend me unto your lordship. And where I have writ- ^***P^'
ten unto the wardens of the goldsmiths, requiring them to Westmin-
take a view of the pix belonging unto the mint at Canter- J^[r» cw-

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224 LETTERS. [1687.

respond- bury *», as well for ray discharge as to the intent the King^s
®^^^" Highness may be the more substantially served in his coins
there, the said wardens hath sent me word, that they would
gladly take pains in that behalf, so that they may have com-
mandment from one of the Council besides me ; for so in
times past they have accomplished my predecessors' request
herein and not else, as they say : these shall be therefore
to beseech your lordship to assign this bill herein inclosed, to
the intent that the Master and Controller of the said mint,
being now in the town at my commandment, may the sooner
have expedition in the premises. Thus, my lord, right
heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the ivth day of De-
cember.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.

To my very singular good lord,
my Lord Privy Seal.

CCIIl. To Cromwell.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I

Chapter commend me unto your lordship. These shall be to signify
Westmin- unto the same, that at my late being at the Court, forso-
welVs'cor'-'"™"^^ as I failed of you there, I attempted alone to be a
respond- suitor unto the King's Majesty for my loving friend Sir John
^^, '" Markeham », knight, declaring unto his Grace not only the
old and continual service which the said Sir John Marke-
ham did first unto his Grace's grandame ^, and since to his
said Grace ever since his coronation, being in all the wars
which the King hath had since his most gracious reign, ex-
cept he had wars in divers places at one time, and then he
was ever in one of them, which from time to time hath been
great charge unto him : moreover I declared unto his High-
ness, how that the said Sir John, of long season, hath un-

*» [See Letter cxxiv.]

* [See Letter CLx I.]

^ [The Lady Margaret, Countess of Richmond.]

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1687.] LETTERS. 286

feignedly favoured the truth of God^s word ' ; and so upon
these my persuasions I besought his Grace to be good in a
suit which your lordship and I should make for the said
Sir John, whereof I referred the relation unto your lord-
ship : and I found the King's Grace very well minded to*
wards the said Sir John ; wherefore I nothing doubt but, if
it will please your lordship this present time earnestly to
set forward the said suit, the King's Grace is well inclined
to hear it ; so that I trust you shall eaaly obtain the same,
which I beseech you to do at this my request, and this
gentleman shall be ever bound to do you service. And yet
one thing I did forget to say unto his Highness, which is
this, that the said Sir John Markeham hath been no great
craver unto his Grace; for this is the first thing that ever he
asked of his Grace. Wherefore, my lord, considering the
matter is thus far opened and wholly committed unto you,
I shall desire you to promote the same with expedition, and
that the rather at this mine instant request ; wherein surely
you shall not only do for the preferment of a faithful and
honest gentleman "*, but thereby bind me to be at your
lordship's commandment. Thus, my lord, right heartily
fare you well. At Lambeth, the vith day of December.

Your lordship's own ever,

T. Cantuarien.

To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCIV. To Ceumwell.

My very singular good Lord, after most hearty com- 14^^
mendations; this shall be to signify unto your lordship, Chapter
that I have received both your letters and the book" also Westmin-

' [Sir John Markham was one of Hen. VIIPs Visitors for the Deanery
of Doncaster. Burnet, ilef. vol. ii. App. B. i. No. 21.]

™ [The site of the Premonstratensian Abbey of Neubo or Newboth,
in Lincolnshire, was ^nted to Sir John Markham, 39 Hen. VIII.
Tanner, Notitia MonastJ]

" [The Institution of a Chriitian Man, See Letters clxxxiv. ccv.]

VOL. I. Q

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2«6 LETTERS. [1588.

8ter;Cnim- lately by us devised, and now overseen and corrected by
ranoDdT' ^® King's Majesty, which book, according to his Grace's
enoe. Oru pleasure, all other business laid apart, I shall, with all pos-
^l****^* sible expedition, peruse and oversee within this sevennight,
Papert, or fortnight at the uttermost, and thereof advertise his Ma-
^ H j^ty> ^y y^^*^ lordship, of my judgment and o{nnion in
Lett. cv. such places as are in the same book by his Grace corrected.
'^f^a^J^' And as touching your farther advertisement of the King's
ToUi.p.i84.most gracious pleasure to be resolved in the case of matri-
mony between the late Duke of Richmond <> and my Lord
of Norfolk's daughter, wherein his Highness willeth me to
call my doctors unto me, and to propone the same case
amongs them, whether such marriage be matrimony or no;
I assure your lordship, that, without farther convocation of
doctors, I am fully persuaded that such marriages as be in
lawful age contracted per verba de prcBsenH^ are matrimony
before God. And the same case is, as I remember, plainly
opened and declared in the King's Grace's book of his own
cause of matrimony P. Howbeit, I shall eftsoons consult
herein with such learned men as at this time be with me
present, and send unto your lordship our resolution in the
same. And if his Grace will have me farther to consult
therein, then I must send for other learned men, or else
come to London myself. Thus Almighty God have your
lordship in his tuition. At Forde, the 14th day of Jan-
uary.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord^ my
Lord Privy Seal.

"> rSee p. 84. The Duke of Richmond died on the 29d of July, 1536,
aged about seventeen. Stow, Annals ; Note to State Paperty vol. i.
p. 321.]

P [Burnet, after giving an account of several books on the King's mar-
riage, adds : ** But all these, and many more, were summed up in a
** snort book, and printed first in Latin, then in English, with the deter-
^^ minations of the Universities before it.'' This seems to be tlie book
to which Cranmer alludes. It was published by Berthelet in Nov.
1530, and was entitled : The Detertmnations of the moste famous and
mooste excellent Universities of Italy and Frounce^ that it is so unleful
for a man to marie his brother's wyfe^ that the Pope hath no power to

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1588.1 LETTERS. 227

CCV. To CRUMWBLLq.

My very singular good Lord % after most hearty commen- MSS.
daUons unto your lordship; these shall be to advertise ^^°J^^^
the same, that as concerning the book lately devised by me E- v. foi.
and other bishops of this realm, which you sent unto me '^ *
corrected by the King'^s Highness, your lordship shall receive
the same again by this bearer the pursuivant, with certain an-
notations of mine own concerning the same ; wherein I trust
the Eing'^s Highness will pardon my presumption, that I
have been so scrupulous, and as it were a picker of quarrels to
his Grace^s book, making a great matter of every light fault,
or rather where no fault is at all ; which I do only for this
intent, that because the book now shall be set forth by his
Grace^s censure and judgment % I would have nothing

dispence therewith. Ames, TVp. Antiq, 1139. A copious abstract of
it will be found in Burnet. Rg, vol. i. p. 195.1

^ [Part of this Letter is printed b^rStrype, Uranm, p. 51, and the sub-
stance of another part is given by him in the same work, p. 45 ; but it
has not hitherto been published entire.]

^ [The date of this and the preceding Letter can scarcely be earlier
than 1538 : for The Institutimy which, on the 21st of July 1537, was an-
nounced to be nearly finished, (Letter clxxxiv.) is here spoken of as
*< the book lately devised " And it can scarcely be later ; because it
may be inferred from the question respecting the marriaee of the Duke of
Richmond, that it was wntten at no very distant period after his death ;
and this took place on the 29d of July 1536. Strype, however, and
Mr. Todd place it under 1537. But Strype's narrative tends more
to shake his own date than to establish it. In 1537, he says, a commis-
sion was issued for devising a form of sound doctrine. The commis-
sioners met at Lambeth, and after much debate ** set their hands to a
" godly book of religion." The book was delivered by Crumwell to the
Kmg, who, '' at his leisure, diligently perused, corrected, and aug-
** mented it : and then after five or six months assigned Crumwell to
^ dispatch it unto the Archbishop, that he might eive his judgment

'< upon the Kind's animadversions. The Archbishop ^* made his

<< own annotations, and when he sent it back again, he wrote

** these lines to Crumwell on the S5th of Januar^r.*' No one who is re-
quired at this point to add tlie year, can avoid naming 1538. Yet
Strype, after inserting the former part of the letter, proceeds : '' at
<^ length this book came forth in the year 1537.'* It is quite true that
<< the book came forth in 1537;" but instead oi following ^ it must
dearly have preceded these Letters of Cranmer. See Preface ; Letter
CLXXXIV, and notes ; Strype, Cranmer ^ p. 51 ; Todd, Life ofCranmer^
voL i. p. 184.]

* [It has been observed in note (i) to Letter clxxxiv. that The In^
ttitutionf though introduced by a Preface from the prelates, did not
bear the same stamp of royal authority as the Article$ of ReUgion pub-

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«a8 LETTERS. [168a.

therein that Momus could reprehend : and yet I refer all
mine annotations again to his Grace^s most exact judgment;
and I have ordered my annotations so by numbers^ that his
Grace may readily turn to every place, and in the lower
margin of this book, next to the binding, he may find the
numbers which shall direct him to the words whereupon I
make the annotations ; and all those his Grace^s castigations
which I have made none annotation upon, I like them vety
well: and in divers places also I have made annotations,
which places nevertheless I mislike not, as it shall iqipear
by the same annotations K

And as touching the punishment of those evil persons,
which have in these parties set forth seditious bruits ^ of the
Eing^s Majesty, one of them upon Wednesday last was or-
dered at Canterbury, according to the Eing^s Grace^s com-
mandment, and another shall suffer the same to-morrow at
Sandewiche, and the other shall be served accordingly.

And as for the case of marriage ' wherein your Lordship
first required to know, whether marriage contracted and so-

iished ia the preceding vear. It would appear that it was now pro-
posed to remedy this de^ct, by setting forth an improved edition *^ hj
^* his Grace's censure and judgment ;'' and that in consequence. Hen.
VIII, previously to committing himself to its tenets, chose to revise it
with his own pen. The design, however, was abandoned for the pre-
sent; for no new edition appeared before 1543, when, having been
much altered, it was published '* by the King's Majesty of England,'^
under the title of A Necessary Doctrine and JKrudition for any
Christian Man, The immediate cause of this postponement may per-
haps be found in tlie consultations of English and Gennan divines,
which were held tliis year in London, for the purpose of drawing up a
general Confession of Faith for all the reformed Churches. For while
Uiere was a hope of agreeing in a joint form of doctrine, the publication
of a separate one would of course be suspended. See Prefiice; Letters
ccxxiii, ccxxiv, ccxxx, ccxxxi; Strype, Memorials, vol. i. p. 330;
Heylyn, Eccles, Restaur. Edw. VI. p. 19.]

' [Corrections of The Institution by Hen. VIII. and Annotations on
these Corrections by Cranmer are still extant, and will be found vol. ii.
pp. 21. 65. There seems to be no reason for doubting their identity
with those which are referred to in these Letters.]

" [See Strype, Cranmer, p. 70.]

* [Strype could not tell whom ** this great case of marriaee" con-
cerned, but he suspected it might relate to Katharine the divorced
Queen. The preceding Letter (witli which he was unacquainted,)

£ roves the parties to have been the Duke of Richmond, and the Lady
lary Howard, daughter of the Duke of Norfolk. See p. 2Sa.]

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1688.] LETTERS. 229

lemnisated in lawful age, per verba deprcesentij and without
carnal copulation, be matrimony before God or no: and
now you require farther to know, whether such matrimony
be consummate or no; and what the woman may there-
upon demand by the law civil after the death of her hus-
band : to the first part I answer^ that I and my doctors
that now are widi me, are of this opinion, that this matri-
mony contracted, per verba de pr(Bsentiy is perfect matrimony
before Grod, but not utterly consummated, (as this term is
commonly used amongst the school divines and lawyers,) but
by carnal copulation. And as for the demand of the
woman by the law civil, I will therein profess mine igno-
rance , and I have no learned men here with me in the said
civil law, but only Doctor Barbare y, who in this matter
saith he cannot pronoimce his mind, except he had books
here, and the company of learned men of the said faculty to
consult withak And I marvel that the votes of the civil
lawyers be required herein, seeing that all manner of causes
of dower be judged within this realm by the conmion laws
of the same ; and there be plenty of well learned men in the
civil law at London, which undoubtedly can certify the
Eing'^s Majesty of the truth herein, as much as appertaineth
unto that law «. Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you well.
At Forde, the xxvth day of January. [1588.]

Your lordship^s own assured,

T. Cantuarien.

y [Dr. John Barber was retained bv Cranmer in his bouse as a legal
adviser, and was the Official of his Court at Canterbury ; yet he was
implicated in the conspiracy against him in 1543. Strype, Cranm.
pp. 91. 121. See Letters ccxxx. ccxli.]

' [Mr. Ellis has printed a letter from the Duchess of Richmond to
her father the Duke of Norfolk, complaining of delay, and requesting
his pennission to come and plead her own cause. " If," she says, " it
" would please ye, as ofttimes I have desired your Grace to give me
<< leave to come up and sue mine own cause, being no wise too good
*^ to be in person an humble suitor to his Majesty, I do not doubt but
^ upon the sight thereof his Highness should be moved to have com-
<' passion on me, considering that be himself alone made the marriage,
'' and to think that it shall be much his Majesty's honour to grant me
^* that his laws give me to maintain me with, the desolate widow of his
^* late son, in the degree that his Majesty hath called me to, yet never*
'' theless putting my whole matter into your Grace's hands and my Lord

<»8

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LETTERS. [1538.

CCVI. To Ceumwkll.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I

HouM,' commend me to your lordship. And whereas this last
Westmin- ye^f I became a suitor for this bearer John Culpeper, unto
Crumweirs the King's Majesty, requiring his Grace to accept into his
p3ndrn'ce ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^ Culpeper, and farther, to be so gracious
Original, lord unto him, as in time convenient to make him one of the
grooms of his privy chamber, his Grace most benignly ten-
dering my suit and request at that time not only accepted
him into the room of a gentleman waiter, but thereunto also
said, that he would see for him upon convenient opportunity :
now, my lord, these shall be most heartily to desire and
pray you to be so good lord unto the said John Culpeper,
as to renew my suit unto the King's Majesty for him at
such time as any alteration shall be made within the King's
Grace's privy chamber, not doubting at all, but that he
shall not only do unto the King's Highness his most true
and faithful service, but also be at your lordship's command-
ment during his life. Thus our Lord have your good lord-
ship in his most blessed tuition. At Ford, the xxviiith day
of January.

Your own ever assured,

Thomas Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my
singular good lord, my Lord Privy
Seal.

CCVII. To Crumwell.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I

HoMc'^ commend me unto your lordship. And where of late* I

u Privy Seal's.'* Ellis, Orig, Letters, 2nd series, Lett. czx. It appears
from the State Papers, vol. i. p. 577. that in the July following she was
recognized as Duchess of Richmond, and that suit was then made to the
King for securing to this '< desolate widow," not only a jointure, but an-
other husband.]
* [See Letter ccv.]

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1688.] LETTERS. 881

wrote unto you, how that one of those seditious persons Westmin-

which here spread false bruits of the Eing^s Highness, was^^^^.,

punished at Canterbury : this shall be to certify your lord- Corres-

ship that another of them was likewise punished at Sande-^^^^i^'

wiche, as this bearer Sir Edward Ryn^ey^, knight, can

more at large inform your lordship of the manner thereof;

for he was present at Sandwiche to see all things executed

according to the King^s commandment: and he was also

very diligent always in examination of divers persons to see

the matters tried out, so that no man could be more willing

and ready to satisfy the King'^s commandment. To whom

I beseech your lordship for his pains taken in this behalf to

give unto him your hearty thanks, which will be unto him

(I dare well say) no small courage and pleasure : and as for

the priest not yet punished, this day, with the assistance of

Mr. Sheriff and this said bearer, we have appointed him to

be punished at Asheforth the next market day. Thus, my

lord, right heartily fare you well At Forde, the 89th day

of January.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCVIII. To Ceumwbll.

My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I MSS.
commend me to your lordship. And whereas the benefice Hotuc*^
of Sutton Magna, within the County of Essex, of the pa- Westmio-
tronage of Margaret Wyate, widow, and George Coverte, cell's Cor-'
altemis vkibus, being void this last year, came in contro-'^P^"^^
versy of the law, which of them should present the incum-^ina/.
bent, so that either of them presented one to the said
benefice; the said Margaret Wiate presenting Sir John
Gylderde of Rayley, in the county of Essex, a man, as I
am credibly informed, both for his literature, good judg-
»» [See Letter cxc]
Q 4

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282 LETTERS. [16S8.

ment, and honest conversation, worthy of commendatioii
and preferment; and the said Greorge Coyerte presenting
one Sir Heugh Pa3n3e c, late Observant, whom I knew nei-
ther to be of good learning nor judgment, but a seditious
person, and I suppose your lordship knew the same : of the
which two persons so presented, the Bishop of London, not^
withstanding that the matter was then in controversy, and
not favouring so much the learning and judgment of the
said Sir John of Rayly as he did Sir Heugh Payne^'s, gave
the institution unto the said Sir Heugh Payne <l, leaving the
patroness in suit at the common law for the same ; which
said suit hath ever since continued, until now that at this
time the said Sir Heugh Pajoie, being in the Marshalsea for
his demerits, is departed : and now, forasmuch as the said
Margery Wiate pretending the maintenance not only of her
just title unto the said benefice, but also the discharging of
her conscience in the same, hath once agidn presented the
said Sir John of Rayley, being very loth that the benefice
should be bestowed upon such as afore time have been
drowned in superstitious religion, as partly she feareth that
one Roche, late Observant, will promote himself thereunto
as much as in him lieth : these shall be therefore to beseech
your lordship, in consideration of her godly mind in this
behalf, and to the intent that the said Bishop of London
may with better will accept the said Sir John of Raily, to
direct your letters in his favour unto the said Bishop of
London, requiring him to induct the said Sir John without
farther interruption; forasmuch as the said Coverte can
claim no more at the most, but to present once against the
said Mistress Wiate twice ; and therefore it seemeth to me,
that he can have no colour of interest in the said benefice
at this time c. Sir Heugh Payne dying in possession, who

^ [See Letter clxxvu.]

^ [Hugh Payne became Rector of Sutton Magna the 23d of Nov.
1536. Newcourt, Repertorium, vol. ii. p. 567.]

« [Cranmer was baffled in this case, and the widow Wyat defrauded :
for Ueo. Covert succeeded in appointing Thomas lloche to the rectory
of Sutton Magna the 10th of Feb. 1538. Newcourt, who states with
Cranmer, that the Wyats possessed two parts of the advowson, has re-

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1588.] LETTERS. 288

was by him last presented. And in thus doing your lord-
ship shall do for the advancement of God'^s word^ which I
think is but easily set forward in Essex. Thus, my lord,
right heartily fare you well. At Forde, the viith day of
February. [1688.]

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my
singular good lord^ my Lord Privy
Seal

CCIX. To Cbumwbll.

My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I MSS.
commend me unto your lordship. And whereas divers ^J^^^
times I have been desirous and minded to sue unto the^^mi°*
Eing^s Majesty for some preferment for John Wakefelde, wen's Cor-
gentleman, Controller of my household, a man of good '^*'^"iv.
judgment and affection towards God^s word, which I haveginai,
known him for the space of these twelve years always ready '*^^» ^/'
to promote in his country, not rashly nor seditiously, but m^» rol. i.
gently and soberly, so that his own country could neither ^' *^^'
greatly hate him nor love him : they could not hate him
for his kindness and gentilness, being ready to do every
man good as much as in his power was ; and yet they could
not heartily love him, by cause he ever commended the
knowledge of Grod^s word, studied in himself diligently, and
exhorted them unto the same, and spake many times against
the abusions of the clergy ; for which he had all the hate
that most of the clergy could procure agmnst him: and
partly for his sincere mind which he beareth towards God'^s
word, partly for his true and faithful heart which he hath
borne towards his prince and such things as from time to

course to the conjecture, that Covert presented under their authority.
But his conjecture is negatived by this Letter ; and the fact seems to
be, that Stokesley, Bishop of London, attended more to the tenets of
the presentee, ttian to the right of the presenter. See Newcourt, Re-
pertoriuniy vol. ii. p. 567.]

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LETTERS. [1588.

tinie his Highness hath set forth, and specially in this last
commotion in the north parties, for so much as he so un-
feignedly declared his true and faithful allegiance unto the
King's Highness, refu^ng the confederacy of the Lord
Darcye and other being gathered together unto the castle
of Pomfrete, which Lord Darcie had trained him thither,
(as further your lordship shall perceive by the said Lord
Darcy's letters herein enclosed,) and yet that notwithstand-
ing, after that my said Controller by communication had with
the said Lord Darcie ^, had perceived that there was no to-
wardness of fidelity in him, he withdrew himself out of the
said castle, to his great jeopardy and loss of all his goods,
which at that time were specially spoiled, because he was so
unobedient unto their minds; for the which spoil of his
goods he hath been partly recompensed by my Lord of
Norfolk, but not in comparison to his loss : I say there-
fore, for this cause of his vexation and other the premises, I
was many times minded to sue for his preferment, saving
that hitherto I saw nothing meet for his commodity. And
now forasmuch as I am informed that the Priory of Pom-
fercte S shall be surrendered unto the King's Grace's hands,
and that both the situation and the demesne lands of that
house lieth very commodiously for him, specially in the
town where he dwelleth : these shall be to beseech your
lordship to be so good lord unto him, as to be a mean unto
the King's Majesty that he may have the preferment of the
said priory with the demesnes in farm, doing in that behalf as
any other will do for the King's Grace's advantage. It
is for no man so meet as for him, and I think there will be
but small suit for it, by reason that the lands are valued to
the uttermost, and not only lieth in tillage, saving certain

^ [Lord Darcy was executed on Tower Hill on the 20th of June 1537,
for taking part in Aske's rebellion ; respecting which, see, besides the
historians, State Papers^ vol. i. Letters xlvi i — lxxxix.]

s Fa Priory of Dominicans at Pontefract was surrendered on the 26th
of November 1538, (Burnet, vol. i. A pp. B. iii. No. 3.) and granted,
36 Hen. VIII, to W. Clifford and Mich. Wildbore. But the principal
religious house at Pontefract was the Cluniac Priory, the site of which
was granted to Edward Lord Talbot, 7 Edw. VI. Tanner, Notitia
Monast."]

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1638.] LETTERS. 286

pasture for the maintenance of the tilth, but also no com-
mon pasture ne woods belonging to the same ; for the which
cause also my said Controller would not sue, saving that it
lieth so nigh unto him ; beseeching your lordship, that if
hereafter he espy any better thing in the country that he
may have your favour therein ; and I doubt not in this his
small preferment, but that his neighbours shall perceive, that
the Eing'^s Majesty doth not forget those that bear his
Grace their true hearts and fidelity. If your lordship would
be so good as to show these my letters unto the Eing^s
Majesty, declaring the considerations thereof, I trust his
Highness will tender my suit, if it were a greater matter ; for
his Highness will gladly help his faithful subjects if his
Grace have information of them, and except his Grace be
informed of them, he cannot help the trusty subjects he
hath. Thus, my lord, most heartily fare you well. AtForde,
the 28th of February.

Your own ever to command,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my

singular good lord^ my Lord Privy

Seal.

CCX. To Crumwell h.

After most hearty commendations to your lordship : for- mss.
asmuch as I am informed, that your lordship intendeth to^^°^j^^
depose the Prior of the Charter House within the Isle of fol. aia.
Axholme », this shall be to desire you to permit the said ^^^''*^^*'^'
Prior still to continue in his room, for I am about, through

i> [The direction of this letter has been lost, but there can be little
doubt of its having been addressed to Cramwell, as Vicar General.]

^ [In Lincolnshire. " By Milwood Park side/' says Leland, ** stood the
^' right fair monastery of the Carthusians.'' The site of it was granted,
39 Hen. VIII, to Mr. John Candish, " who hath now turned Uie mo-
'< nastery to a goodly manor place." Leland Itin. vol. i. p. 32. Its
yearly revenues at the dissolution were worth 237/. 15s. 2d. according to
Dugdale. It was therefore not suppressed among the lesser monas-
teries in 1536. See Tanner, Not, Moti, ; Letters cxxxiv. cxlv.]

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286 LETTERS. [1688.

the help of such friends as I have in those parties, to procure
that the said Prior shall willingly resign the same into the
Eing^s hands. Thus Almighty God preserve your lord-
ship. From Fourde, the viith day of March K

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.

CCXI. To Crumwbll.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, I heartily commend me unto

Hoiise^' you ; and thank you in like manner for your pains taken

Westmin- with my folk and my letters divers and many times ; and

weu's Cor-' ^^^ I <^^ driven to desire you to take further pains. So it

^^^^^^ is, that one Symone Cornethwaite, dwelling with my Lord

ginai. Russell, did sue a cause of matrimony in the Arches against

one Anne Barker, daughter to William Barker of Ches-

wicke, and brought the mother, and divers other witness,

with the confession of the maid, to justify his intent ; and

then the maid was sequestered, lest any violence should be

used towards her, unto the house of Master Vaghan in

Chepe side ; and in very deed, at the special request of my

lord of Sussex, I heard the matter myself one day at Lame-

bethe, and thought it necessary that the maid should continue

still in sequestration till the matter were tried. And this

suit depending, one William Brydges, brother to Sir John

Bridges^, took out the maid from the sequestration, and

married her before day without any banns asked, or any

license or dispensation obtained, and in the time forbidden "^,

^ [Some reader of this Letter has affixed to it the date of 1537 ; but it
seems rather to belong to 1538, this being the year in which the Car-
thusian Priory of Axiholm in Lincolnshire was surrendered. See
Burnet, Ref. vol. i. App. B. iii. No. 3.]

1 [Probably the same Sir John Bridges who was created Lord Chandos
by Queen Mary, in 1554, for the more honourable reception of the
Prince of Spain. See Strype, Memorials, vol. iii. p. 119.]

^ [The times forbidden to matrimony by old canons, and by the
custom of England, were from Advent Sunday till a week after Epi-
phany ; from Septuagesima Sunday till a week after Easter ; and from
Ascension day till Trinity Sunday. Comber. '* Quando clauditur

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1588.] LETTERS. 887

within three days afore Cbristenmas last, and hath ever ^noe
hen by her, and keeps her in a secret corner in Master Am-
brose Barker^s house ; and she is declared accurst for vio*
lating of the sequestration, and is so denounced at Poule^s
Cross, and at divers other places, and so hath continued
forty days; and this notwithstanding, he keeps her still,
more like a rebellion than an obedient subject to the laws
and good order of this realm : and swears great oaths, that
he will keep her in spite of any man. Now my desire is, for
the zeal I do know that you bear unto justice, and the evi«
tation of notorious sin, it may please you to send f<nr the
said William Bridges by privy seal or otherwise, command-
ing him to bring the woman with him. And then you to
sequester her to some honest indifferent house, till the matter
be tried whose wife she is. And otherwise to correct him
for his misdemeanour in this behalf, as shall be thought
good to your lordship. In which doing I doubt not but
you shall please God highly ; and cause other to beware of
such misdemeanour in the Eing^s realm. As knows our
Lord, who preserve you as myself. Amen. At Forde, the
14th day of March.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord^ m j
Lord Privy Seal> these be given.

CCXII. To Crumwell.

My very singular good Lord, in most hearty wise I com- mss.
mend me unto your lordship. And whereas there is suit^***P*^''
made unto me for one Sir William Chevenay, Parson of Westmin.
Ejmgston, besides Canterbury, which being a very ™po-J^?^'J*.'

<' tempus nnptiarum, et quando aperitur^ nota in his versibos se-
** quendbus :

<' Agpiciens veterem^ circam^ qua^ quis, benedicta.
** Conjugiuin vetat Adventus, Hilanusque relaxat.
** Septuageoa vetat, octavum Pascbe relaxat.''

Mistale ad usum Sarum, 1529.]

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288 LETTERS. [1688.

respond- tent man, above fourscore years of age, and also blind, is
*2J^ ^^^ not able in bis own person to discharge his cure, and
would very gladly have license to abide with his Mends
and kinsfolks, and would find an honest priest in the
meantime to discharge his cure; forasmuch as he is not
able, besides the finding of the priest, to keep house of the
same, the benefice being of so small valure, as I am credibly
informed that it is ; these shall be, therefore, to desdre you
to be good lord unto the said parson in this his suit unto
your lordship, that he may be discharged of the Act con-
cerning residence ^, if it may be. And he shall pray during
his life (which is not like to pass one year) for the preserva-
tion of your good lordship. Thus right heartily fare you
well. From Canterbury, the 16th day of March.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord^ my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCXIII. To CauMWELL.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty manner

Hocm!^ ^ commend me unto your lordship: and where I am in -
WestmiD- formed, that one Sandwhych, a monk of Christ's Church in
CromwcU's Canterbury, and Warden of Canterbury College in Oxforth®,
Corres- Jq^Jj gyg {q^ the preferment of the Prior's office in the said
Origmai. house of Canterbury : these my letters are most effectu-
ously to desire your lordship, if any such alteration be P, to

n [Stat.21 Hen. VIII. c. 13.]

^ [Canterbury College in Oxford was at this time subject to the
Benedictine Priory of Christ Church, Canterbury, and was chiefly
occupied by student monks of that order. As a parcel of their pos-
sessions it was granted, 33 lien. VIII, to the Dean and Chapter of
Canterbury, but was transferred, 38 Hen. VIII, to the Dean and
Chapter of Christ Church, Oxford. Tanner, Not, Monast. See, for
an account of its foundation, Lewis, Life of Wiclif chap. 1.]

P [No alteration seems to have taken place ; for at the dissolution,
Thomas Goldwell was still Prior of Christ's Church, Canterbury,
(having held the office for twenty-three years,) Richard Thomden was

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1688.] LETTERS. 280

bear your fiivour and aid to the Warden of the manors of
the said house, a man of right honest behaviour, clean
living, good learning, good judgment, without superstition,
very tractable, and as ready to set forward his princess
causes, as no man more of his coat; and in that house,
in mine opinion, there is no meeter man. I am moved to
write to your lordship in this behalf, inasmuch as I con-
ader what a great commodity I shall have, if such one be
promoted to the said office, that is a right honest man and
of his qualities ; and I insure your lordship the said room
requireth such one; as knoweth God, who ever preserve you.
From Canterbury, the 17th day of March.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord> my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCXIV. ToCettmwell.

My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I MSS.

commend me unto your lordship ; signifying to the same, ^^

that according to the effect and purport of your letters to Wcstmiii.

me directed concerning Friar Forest, the Bishop of Wur-J^eU'sCo^^

ceiter and I will be tomorrow with your lordship, to know '"^'P**"^.

Warden of the manors there, and William Sandwich was Warden ofginaL
Canterbury College, Oxford. Somner, Antiq, of Canterbury ^ by Battely.

Sandwich^ alias Gardiner, became one of the prebendaries of the
new Chapter at Canterbury. He was a vehement opposer of the re-
formation, and was one of the chief contrivers of the charges brought
aeainstCranmerin 1543. See some specimens of his sermons in Strype,
Cranmer^ p. 103; and his humble submission to the Archbishop, ibid.
Add. No. 33.

Kichard Thomden also was a prebendary on the new foundation, and
deeply implicated in the combination against the Archbishop. He was
Bishop SufiVagan of Dover, was a persecutor under Queen Mary, and
died m the last year of her reign. Henry Wharton accuses Strype of
confounding him with John Thornton, Prior of Dover, and Suffragan to
Archbishop Warham ; but there is no such confusion in the passages
which he cites, and this and a former Letter strongly confirm Stripe's
statement of R. Thornden's being specially favour^ by Cranmer. See
Strype, Cranm. p. 63; Wharton, Observations on Strype* t Cranmer,

L258; Cranmer*s Declaration concerning the Most; (vol. i v. p. 1.)
tter CLviii.]

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240 LETTERS. [1638.

farther of your pleasure in that behalf. For if we should
proceed against him according to the order of the law, there
must be articles devised beforehand, which must be minis-
tered unto him ; and therefore it will be very well done, that
one draw them against our meeting <)• Thus, my lord, right
heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the 6th day of April.
[1588.]

Your o¥m assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCXV. To Cecjmwell.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, in my right hearty wise I

Chapter commend me unto you. And whereas my servant Fraunces
WestmiD- Bassett, this bearer, was, by the mean of your good lord-
^'f S™ ^'^^P' P"^ ^^ possession of the granges of Musden and Caldon,
respond- and is dispossessed by the Earl of Shrewsbury that now is,
^^, ^' to his great hurt and hinderance, ^on* • ^c'' «. ho is do .k
to contend with him in the law; :\ -c .uf. - - Ijail .
to desire your lordship to sign "it o icLUTs enclof^tcl, <I
rected unto the said Earl in his beu.'i or ■ o iltr^r tht.,ti :
any thing mislike you, or else to Klirev\ >uch nther It tr, rs !•

^ [" Dr. John Forest, a Friar Observant vas i; ■ »".• uHoi. f«.r that -u
"secret confessiou be had declared torn n t' Ki.>g'' subjerts, that
" the King was not Supreme Head of the t. :■■ . ,»i ^\}itr< ji ^»c rbre he
" had sworn to the same supremacy. Upon t».. -ji he -vas cx' ruiu^ «i,
" and answered, that he took this oath wiLh 'i -, i '. ward man, k i h^*^
"inward man never consented thereto. J'.ou wuk^: lurtU r iK\;'i>rf»tl
" of divers heretical opinions, he submjiteii h . ,ii" *-o the* punirln^tyr
"of the Church; but having more libu^y t.. . . ^Ph.rc t» ulk witl-.
" whom he would, when his abjuration wi - ei nn lo read, l.e uK*^rly
" refused it. Whereupon he was condenMe(i, u J ittcrward ou a j> :ir
" of new gallows setup for the purpose '. "^i •' lrl, he wft^ haPtz* -
" by the middle and armpits quick, and ■ < . Uows «vjif luaii- a

" fire, wherewith he was burnt and con^ ; - 1 '^ hu\ day of M ,

" [1538.]" " Also a pulpit was there set, in the which Master Hugh

" Latymer, Bishop of Worcester, preached a sermon, confuting the
" friar's errors, and moving him to repentance." Stow, Annals. See
also Foxe, vol. ii. p. 396; Lingard, Hist, of England^ vol. vi. p. 358.
(8vo. edit.) ]

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1688.] LETTERS. 241

him as may stand most with your lordship^s pleasure in the
preferment of this bearer^ which only hath and must de-
pend upon your goodness ; whom I am the more bold to
name your kinsman, by cause I would the said Earl should
more earnestly tender your lordship his letters and request.
And thus I pray God long to preserve your lordship in
health. From Croydon, the viiith day of April.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCXVI. ToCauMWELL.

My very singular good Lord ; forasmuch as this bearer, mss.
your trusty chaplain, Mr. Malet, at this his return towards J^***?^*"
London from Forde, (whereas I left him, according to your Westmin-
lordship^s asagnment, occupied in the affairs of our Church Cromwell's
Service % and now at the writing up of so much as he had to Corrcs-

«. \.

n^ ■ i: ^' \' ' : .' » TS is not known. Burnet says, that
A^. u : > ' ^ . of the breviaries, missals, and other

itnils .'I ' > <. ._ . '.^r a few rasures of those collects in

vl v'l f!,* ," J' -f^ >•,-}.'.. '. * .-, of Thomas Becket's office, and the
L.tes uf'.tl ' ..!• ' 'o.>s.' i v's were, by the King's Injunctions, no
• -^jore to be ob-«r\e«i. virli <..'ne other deletions, made that the old
u'^.,\ , fK 1 t.!' ^?r\t. He i j be correct respecting the missals, but,
a \iA^ hern obs^^veii *•} Ti^iliei. an amended breviary was printed
It 1341, and tigu:u iu io44, uuder the following title: Portiforium
$ecundum usum Sarum, noviter impressum et a plurimis purgatum
tnendis, in quo nomen Romano Ponttfici falso ascriptum omittitury U7ia
cum aliis qua Christianitsimi nostri Regit statuto repugnant. Lond.
£dw. Whitchurch, Cum privil^o. It is possible that the preparation
of this edition may have been the work on which Malet was employed.
But however this may be, the alterations made in it were too incon-
siderable to satisfy the reformers, and much more sweeping changes
seem to have been in contemplation, when, on Cranmer's announce-
ment of the King's pleasure, it was ordered by the Convocation in
1543, thaf the exammation and correction of the Service Books should
** be conmiitted to the Bishops of Sarum and Ely, [Salcot and Good-
^* rich,] taking to each of them three of the Lower House, such as
" should be appointed for that purpose : but this the Lower House
" released." And their coolness appears to have prevented for a time
the execution of the design. It ^as not however relinquished, for in a
Letter written by Cranmer in Jan. 1546, mention is made of the Bishops

VOL. I. E

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842 LETTERS. [1688.

poDdence. do,) came by me here at Croden to know my further plea-

Ot'itrinulm » ^^ *

Todd, £A/e^^^ ^"^ Commandment in that behalf; I shall beseedi you,
of Cran- my lord, that after his duty done in seeing your lordship, he
p. 198. ' may repair unto me again with speed, for further further-
ance and final finishing of that we have begun. For I
like his diligence and pains in this business and his honest
humanity declared in my house for this season of his being
therein so well, that I can be bold so to commend him to
your lordship, that I shall with all my heart beseech the
same, to declare your goodness and favour to him by help-
ing his small and poor living. I know he hath very little
growing towards the supporting of his necessaries ; which is
much pity, his good qualities, right judgment in learning,
and discreet wisdom considered. Thus fare your good
lordship heartily well. From Croden, the 11th of April.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my
very good lord, my Lord Privy
Seal.

CCXVII. To CauMWELL.
MSS. My Lord, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto

Holwe' y^^^ lordship. This shall be to desire you to be good lord
WestmiD- unto certain men of Smarden and Pluckeley in Kent, whose

ster;

of Worcester and Chichester, [Hethe and Day,] with other learned
men, '' being appointed to peruse certain Books of Service :^ and it
may be inferred from the followine passage in the petition of Edward
Vlth's first Convocation, that the work was actually completed:
" Whereas by the commandment of King Hen. VIII. certain prelates
** and other learned men were appointed to alter the Service of the
** Church, and to devise other convenient and useful order therein, who
*^ according to the same appointment did make certain books, as they
" be informed ; their request is, that the said books may be seen and
<' perused by them, for a better expedition of Divine Service to be set
** forth accordingly." Wilkins, Concilia, vol. iv. p. 15. See Letter
ccLxvi ; Bum. Ref. vol. i. p. 699 ; Ames, Ti^pog, Antiq, Ed. Dibd.
vol. iii. pp. 449. 485; Wilkins, Conci/to, vol. iii. p. 863; Strype,
Memorials, vol. i. p. 375 ; Collier, Eccla, Hist, vol. ii. p. 19L]

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16380 LETTERS. 248

names shall be delivered unto your lordship herewithal, Cmmweirs
which are indicted for unlawful assemblies at the last ses* p^^eoce.
sions at Canterbury, and as they report unto me of none Original.
occasion or ground else^ but for by cause they are accounted
fauters of the new doctrine (as they call it) ; beseeching your
lordship therefore, that if it cannot be duly proved that
they are worthy thus to be indicted, tliey may be released of
this their indictment. For if the Eing^s subjects within this
realm which favour God^s word, shall be unjustly vexed at
sessions^, it will be no marvel though much sedition be daily
engendered within this realm. Wherefore I pray you, my
lord, that some remedy may in time be devised for the re-
dress of such indictments. Thus, my lord, right heartily
fare you well. At Lambeth, the 29th day of April.

Your own assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my

singular good lord> my Lord Privy

Seal.

CCXVIII. ToCaCTMWELL.

My Lord, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto mss.
you. And whereas I moved you to write in the favour of^^^^^
Sir Thomas Lawney* unto young Mr. Parre, for the rcsig- WestmiD-
nation^ of the Vicarage of Roydon in Essex, belonging unto c^umweirs

• [See Cranmer's correspondence with a Justice, Letter cxcvi. &c.
The evil does not appear to have been remedied by the present com-
phiint; for, at a Visitation in 1543, Vincent Ingeam, a justice of the
peace, as Strype supposes, was presented, for commanding that no man
should read, or hear the Bible read, upon pain of imprisonment; and
for casting two men into prison, one for speaking agamst him therein,
and the other for showing him the King's Injunctions concerning the
some.]

' [** This Lawney was a witty man, and chaplain to the old Duke of
'' Norfolk, and had been one of the scholars placed by the Cardinal in
'^ liis new College at Oxon : where he was cliaplain of the house, and
'* prisoner there with Frith. In the time of the Six Articles he was a
^ minister in Kent, placed there, I suppose, by the Archbishop/' Strype,
Cranmer, p. 25, where two specimens of his wit may be seen.]

** [The resignation did not take place, Osias Le Moyne having held
the vicarage from 1523 to his death in 1541. Newcourt, Repertarium,
vol. ii. p. 508.]

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244 LETTERS. [1638.

Corres- his chaplain, I have sent unto your lordship letters devised
OWtfw! ^^^ ^^^ purpose, beseeching you, my lord, to assign them if
you like the draught of them, or else that they may be
amended according to your mind. In accomplishing where-
of you shall prefer a right honest man, worthy to have a
much better thing than this is. Thus, my lord^ right hear-
tily fare you well. At Lambeth, the first day of May.

Your own assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCXIX. To Crumwell.

MSS. My Lord, in my hearty wise I commend me unto your

House' good lordship. And whereas this bearer, my friend and
WestmiD- kinsman, hath certain suits before you, I pray you, my lord,
CramweU's^hat ye will be so good lord unto him in these his suits, if it
Corres- may be, that he may have a short end of them, according to
Original, justice and equity, with your reasonable favour, and the ra-
ther at this my request and instance ; wherein ye shall both
show unto me singular pleasure, and bind him to be your
daily beadsman. Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you
well. From my manor of Lambhyth, the Snd day of May.

Your lordship^s assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCXX. To Ceumwell.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, after most hearty recommen-

Hon^*^ dations : so it is, as I am informed, that there is an office
WestmiD- founden before the late Excheator of the county of Lincoln,
Cnimwcirs^f^^ the death of one Thomas Tam worth, in the which of-

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1688.] LETTERS. 246

fice, amongs other things, it is founden, that the smd Tho- Corres-
mas Tamworthe should be seized and die seized of one^^^^^.'
mese and fifty-eight acres of land and pasture, lying in a
town called Leeke, in the said county of Lincoln ; which
lands, as I am credibly informed, is the true inheritance
of this poor gentleman John Tamworthe, this bearer;
and he that is heir of the said Thomas Tamworthe is
now the King^s ward, and was in the custody of Sir William
Musgrave, knight, and Dame Elizabeth his wife, by the
King^s letters patents to the said Dame Elizabeth made;
who having the custody of the same ward, by colour of the
said office so founden, both against the due order of law and
good conscience, hath, since the death of the said Thomas
Tamworthe, not only taken the profits of the said mese and
fifty- eight acres of land, but also of forty acres mo of
other lands lying in the said town, in the said office not con-
tained, which also is the inheritance of this poor gentleman ;
and forasmuch as his counsel doth inform him that he can
have no traverse to the said office during the minority of the
said John Tam worth, son and heir of the said Thomas Tam-
worth ; therefore for restitution of the other lands in the
said office not comprised, he hath sued to the Master of the
King^s wards, who, upon his long suit, did direct a commis-
sion to certain worshipful gentlemen of the said county of
Lincoln, to inquire of the truth of the premises ; who, by au-
thority of the ssud commission, hath sitten and inquired by the
oath of twelve men duly of the same, and which twelve men
have given their verdict to the said Commissioners, and put
thereunto their several seals ; and as I am informed, there is
so much afiection in Thomas Browne, one of the said Com-
missioners, (who, by the consent of other his fellows, had the
commission delivered unto him to make certificate thereof at
the day of return specified in the said commission,) that
as yet he hath made no certificate of the same, saying it is
the commandment of some of your lordship'^s counsel, that he
shall keep it out and make no certificate, which is great hin-
derance and cost to this poor gentleman, and loss of his in-

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«46 LETTERS. [1588.

heritance : wherefore I beseech your good lordship to give in
commandment to the said Thomas Browne, who hath the
custody of the said oommisnon, to make certificate thereof to
the Master of the Eing'^s wards ; either else that the matter
may be heard by your counsel, and upon certificate therectf
made to your lordship, such direction and order may be
taken in the same, as shall stand with the Eing*s laws, right,
and good conscience; and you shall bind this gentleman
during his life to do you such service as may lie in him for
to do. Thus Almighty God long preserve your lordship
in honour. From my manor of Croydon, the xxixth c^ May.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.

* The said John Tamworth is a near kinsman of mine,
wherefore I pray you be good lord unto him.

To my singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCXXI. ToCeumwell.

MSS. After my most hearty commendations unto your good

HouaT^ lordship : these shall be to signify unto the same, that this

WcBtmin- bearer, John Robynson, is one of my Lord of Wylteshire

CrumweU's servants y, for whom I spake unto your lordship to accept

^"^ into your service, beseeching your lordship, inasmuch as he

OriginaL daily giveth attendance to know your pleasure herein, that

you will be his good lord in this his suit, and I trust that

he shall do unto you his true and faithful service ; and as

for his honesty and other qualities, I doubt not but that

the experience of my Lord of Wiltesher^s service is a suffi-

^ FThis postscript is in the handwriting of Cranmer.]
y [This Letter seems to have been written on the breaking up of the
Earfof Wiltsliire's establishment by his death in 1638.]

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1588.] LETTERS. 247

dent testunony for bim in that behalf. Thus, my lord,
most heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the vth day of
June.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very gingiilar good lord, my
Lord P^ivy Seal.

CCXXII. To Crumwell.

My singular good Lord, after most hearty wise I commend mss.
me unto your good lordship; signifying unto you, that^'**^^''
about a twelve months past, as I was in my journey towards Westmin-
the Eing^s Highness, I lodged at my house in Croydon ; Cromwell's
where certain of my chaplains by chance went into theCorres-
church there, and as they looked in certain books thej^^^^
found the names of Bishops of Rome not put out accord-
ing unto the Eing^s commandment ^ ; wherefore I sent for
all the priests of the church, and their books also, and
showed them the place where such names were, and also
commanded them that they should amend their said books,
and I discharged the parish priest of his service at the
same time. Now if it please your good lordship, it chanced
in these holidays the Dean of the Arches to say mass with
a book belonging to one of the chauntry priests of the said
church ; which book is nothing amended since that time of
my being there, and yet then I myself showed the places in

' [See proclamations on this subject in Wilkins, Concilicy vol. iii.
p. 773; and Burnet, Ref. vol. iii. App. B. ii. No. 32; from which it will
appear, not only that the bishops were commanded '' to cause all man-
" ner of prayers, orisons, rubrics, and canons in mass books and all
** other books used in churches, wherein the Bishop of JEtome is named,
" utterly to be abolished, eradicate, and rased out, in such wise as the
'< said Bishop of Rome, his name and memory for evermore (except to
** his contumely and reproach) may be extinct, suppressed, and ob-
** scured ;" but that the sheriflFs and lustices of the peace were directed
to make diligent search, whether the bishops truly and sincerely did their
duty. It must be recollected that tlie proclamation printed by Wilkins,
bears the date of 1634 instead of 1635. See Letter cLxxi. note (k) ]

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)

248 LETTERS. [1588. |

the same book, and the said chauntry priest promised to '

put them out ; and whether this be a maintenance of the |

Bishop of Rome his authority or no, I will not determine, but i
remit the matter wholly to your good lordship ; yet in the

mean season I have called him before me, and have taken I

certain honest men, which be bound that he shall be ready I

at all times to come before any of the Eing^s Council, there .

to make answer unto all such things as shall be laid to his '
charge concerning the same. I desire your good lordship

that I may have an answer by this bearer what I shall do i

herein ; and I dedre Almighty God to have your good ;

lordship continually in his preservation. From my manor '

of Croydon, the 12. day of June. |

Your own ever assured, i
T. Cantuarien.
To my singular good lord, my Lord
Privy Seal.

CCXXIII. To Ceumwell.

MSS. After most hearty commendations to your good lordship;

^J^^ these be to certify you, that I will not fail, God willing, to

Westmin. meet you at London tomorrow, accordingly as I perceive by

Crumwcirsyour letters it is the King's pleasure. And forasmuch as I

^"^ have no manner of stuff nor provision at Lamehvth as now,
poDdence. _ _ . • . i , r ^

Original. SO that I am not m no wise provided to receive the am*

bassadors^ thither as tomorrow; therefore I beseech you

to appoint some other place where we may have conference

with them, and to send me word by this bearer as well of

the time as of the place, where and when ye will appoint me

to meet with them ; and at our meeting I shall be right glad

to have your counsel, what provision is meet that I make

for them, which I shall be right glad to do to my power.

* [Probably the ambassadors from the German Protestants. See
Letters ccxxiv. ccxxx. ccxxxi. Mr. Todd states, that they arriyed in
England in May 1538. Life qfCranmer, vol. i. p. S50.]

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1688.] LETTERS. 249

As knoweth our Lord God, who long preserve you to his
pleasure. At my manor of Croydon, the xiiith day of
June.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.

CCXXIV. To Ceumwell.

My very singular good Lord, after my most hearty com-MSS.
mendations; these shall be to signify unto your lordship, ^^P^"^
that as yesterday Franciscus^, the Duke of Saxon^s Chan- Wwunin-
cellor, was in hand with me and the Bishop of Chechester ^ crumweir«
very instantly, to have Atkynson'^s penance altered from^"^"
Paul^^s unto the parish church of the said Atkynson ; OHginai.
whereunto we made him this answer, that forasmuch asTodd, I^/r
that error of the sacrament of the altar was so greatly jf^'^J^of.j,
spread abroad in this realm, and daily increasing more and p* ><^2*
more, we thought it needful for the suppressing thereof,
most specially to have him do his penance at PauFs, where
the most people might be present, and thereby in seeing
him punished, to be ware of like offence ; declaring farther
unto him, that it lay not in us to alter that penance to any
other place, by cause we were but commissaries appointed
by your lordship ; and therefore, without your advice and
consent, we could not grant unto him any thing in this
behalf. He then perceiving that we nothing did incline
unto his request, answered and said, that if any person
coming from the King of England unto the Duke his
master, should require a greater request than this was^ it
should be granted unto him ; alleging that the Bishop of
Hereforde ^ asked of his master one that was condemned to

»> [Franciscus Burcardus, (BurckhHrdt,) Vice-Chancellor to the
Elector of Saxony, was at the head of the German Embassy. See
Preface ; Letters ccxxx. ccxxxj ; Seckendorf, Comment, de Lutheran.
lib. iii. §. LXvi. Add. 1.]

c r Richard Sampson. See 'Strype, Memorials, vol. iii. p. 199j
^ [Edward Fox. See a full account of his negotiations in dermany
in 1536, in Seckendorf, Comment, de Lutheran, lib. iii. §. xxxix. Add.]

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260 LETTERS. [1688-

death, and he was liberally delivered unto you. Howbeit,
said he, I do not require such a thing, but only that this
Atkynson his penance may be altered from one place unto
another. Then I promised him that I would consult with
your lordship therein as this day, touching his request.
Wherefore I beseech your lordship to advertise me by this
bearer, what answer I shall make unto him in this bdudfl
Thus Almighty God preserve your good lordship. At
Lambeth, the 22nd day of June. [1588.]

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.

« My lord, I pray you have in your good remembrance
Sir Edward Ryngelay ^

To my very singular good lord^ my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCXXV. To Ceumwell.

MSS. After my most hearty commendations unto your good

Houa^ lordship ; these shall be to beseech the same to direct your
Westmin- letters unto my Commissary at Calise, giving him power
Cruro- And authority to take away as well such images S now being
weirs Cor- within the Priory of the Black Friars at Calice, to whom
ence. OH- any pilgrimage appertaineth, as all other images of like es-
^^'^^ timation within my jurisdiction there. And whereas my
smd Commissary hath written unto me concerning this
bearer, Adam Damplippe^, desiring to have certain requests

® [This postscript is in Cranmer's handwriting.]

^ [See Letters cxc. ccvii.]

8 [By CruQiwell's Injunctions of 1536 it was merely ordered, that
images should not be set forth or extolled for any superstition or lucre.
Those of 1538 went farther^ and directed, that such feigned images as
were abused with pilgrimaees, or offerings of any thin^ made thereto,
should forthwith be taken down. But these were not issued till Sep-
tember in this year, so that in July it was necessary for Cranmer to ap-
ply for a special authority. See Burnet, Ref. vol. i. App. B. iii. Nos. 7
and 11; Stow, ^nna^.j

^ [George Bucker, alias Adam Daroplip, had been chaplain to
Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, and had afterwards been patronized by

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1588.] LETTEBS, 251

accomplished, as farther shall appear unto your lordship by

Cardinal Pole^ who wished bim to settle at Rome. He declined this
proposal, and was on his return to England, when he was induced bj
some reformers to stay for a certain space at Calais. There ** he
<' preached very godly, learnedly, vaiA plainly, mightily inveighing
*' against all papistry, and confuting the same, but especially those two
** most pernicious errors or heresies, traosubstantiation, and the pesti-
** lent propitiatory sacrifice of the Romish mast." He also incurred
the mortal hatred of the friars by assisting in the exposure of a pre-
tended instance of visible transubstantiation. It was alleged, in proof of
the bread being really changed into flesh, that three £)sts might be
seen lyin^ on a marble stone, besprinkled with blood : but on a search
by commission from the King, there were found " instead of three hosts,
<' three plain white counters which they had painted like unto hosts,
<^ and a bone that is in the tip of a sheep's tail. All which trumpery
" Pamplip showed unto the people the next day following, which was
<' Sunday, out of the pulpit.'' His chief opponents at Calais were
John Dove, Prior of the White Friars, and George Buttoll, chaplain to
Lord Lisle tlie Deputy. In consequence of their representations, ** he
** was sent for to appear before the Bishop of Canterbury, with whom
« was assistant Steven Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, Dr. Sampson,
" Bishop of Chichester, and divers others, before whom he most con-
<< stantly affirmed and defended the doctrine wliich he had taught, in such
** sort answering, confuting, and soluting the objections, as ms adversa-
" ries,yea, even among the other, the learned, godly, and blessed martyr
^' Cranmer,then yet but a Lutheran^ marvelled at it, and said plainly, that
^' the Scripture knew no such term of transubstantiation. Then began
*^ the other bishops to threaten him, shortly to confute him with their
** accustomed arguments, I mean Hre and fagot, if he would still stand
'< to the defence of that he had spoken. Whereunto he constantly an-
** swered,that he would the next day deliver unto them fully so much in
'' writing as he had said, whereunto also he would stand ; and so was
<< dismi^ed. Tlie next day at the hour appointed to appear, when they
** looked surely to have apprehended him, in the mean season be had
<< secret intimation from the Bishop of Canterbury, that if he did any
** more (personally appear, he should be committed unto ward, not likely
** to escape cruel death. Whereupon he had him commended unto
^ them, and sent them four sheets of paper learnedly written in the
** Latin tongue." .... ''Which done, he having a little money given
^ him by his friends, stepped aside and went into the West Country."
He there employed himself for some time in keeping a school ; but was
apprehended under the Act of the Six Articles in 1539, and lay in
pnson for several years. As fur however as related to his heresy, he
was included in a general pardon by Act of Parliament ; but he was at
last condemned for treason, because he had accepted money from Car-
dinal Pole towards the expenses of his journey to England, and was
hanged, drawn, and quartered at Calais about 1544. This account is from
Foxe, Acts, 6cc, vol. ii. p. 556. It will be observed that it does not per-
fectly agree with Cranmer's Letters ; nor is the Martyrologist correct in
stating that Damplip's heresies were covered by the general pardon :
for not only were the Sacraroentaries, (of. whom Damplip was con-
sidered one,) excluded from the benefit of that statute, but Damplip
himself was excepted by name. See Stat. 32 Hen. VIIL cap. 49;
Letters ccxxviii. ccxxix; Strype, Cranm, pp. 68. 88; Todd, Life cf

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LETTERS.

[issa

his > letter herein inclosed, I right heartily desire you, my
lord, so to tender the said requests, that this siud bearer

Cranmer, vol. i. p. 175 ; Part of a Letter from the Deputy of Calais
and otherSf touching Damplip and Stevens, An^. 30 Hen. VIII. in
Harl. MSS. 283. p. 89.]

' [This Letter is subjoined. John Butler, the writer of it, had beea
the Archbishop's Commissary at Calais for several years ; and in 1534
he had been employed to take down the Pope's excommunication of
Hen. VIII. from the church door at Dunkirk. Now however he shared
in the persecution which followed Damplip's preaching. He was
charged before the Privy Council in the Star Chamber, with having
countenanced Damplip, and with having said that " if the sacrament of
<< the altar be flesh, blood, and bone, then there is good Aqua vicse at
" John Spicer's ;" where, as Strype gravely suggests, there was probably
very bad. After long attendance he was discharged, but lost his oflice.
Foxe, Jets, &c. vol. ii. pp. 334. 560 ; Strype, Cranm, p. 88. An ex-
pression in his letter is of great use in fixing the date of these proceed-
ings, respecting which there is much confusion in Foxe and Strype.
He speaks of Sunday the 21st of July. He wrote therefore in Iddd,
for in that year the 21st of July fell on a Sunday.

John Butler, Commissary at Calais, to Cranmer.

MSS. " ^" ™®^^ humble wise please it your Grace to be advertised, that

Chapter " Adam Damlippe, bearer hereof, is purposely come over to declare Ids

House, " mind unto your Grace. For it is perceived, that certain which favour

VVcstmia- *^ nothing the truth, would gladly hinder him, if it were in their power,

ster ; << that he should neither teach nor preach the word of God ; as in their

Crumwell's'^ large writing, not only against him, but also against other persons;

Corres- « which their writing will not be justified no more than was their Bilse

poDdence. « suggestion, saying, that there was in Cales which openly and mani-

Original. t< festly did deny Christ. Their saying is now, that here are certain

'^ which deny Christ to be put in the sacrament of the altar. I trust

'^ they shall take little honour of their so writing. This bearer will

" declare more unto your Grace. I will not write what I have seen,

<< but I marvel that men will write of malice ; saving that the^ utter

" what they are from within forth. God send them a better spirit.

" Humbly requiring your Grace to be good and gracious lord unto this
<< bearer, Adam Damplippe, and that he may shortly return to Cales
" again with your Grace s favourable letters, and my Ix)rd Privy Seal's,
<< ifit be possible they may be obtained of his lordsnip, to be Curate of
<' our Lady's church in Cales ; and that the Council here may assist
<' him in reading and preaching the true word of God ; for by his long
" absence the poor commonalty, which is very desirous to hear him,
" shall have great hinderance.

** Your Grace might do a right meritorious deed to aid the Prior of
<* the Friars hence ; for I assure your Grace he doth much harm here,
« and that secretly. God send him grace to turn unto the truth, as he
« promised to do in Lent last past, knowledging himself to be in the
*< wrong ; saying to be sorry that he had so long erred fi-om the truth.
" Further to advertise your Grace, that I have declared to the Prior
'' that his third article is not lowable; and he answered me again, that
<< whosoever did say the contrary of his third article is an heretic, and

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1688.] LETTERS. 263

may return again thither, and there to proceed with quietness
as he hath begun ; assuring your lordship, that he is of
right good knowledge and judgment as far as I can per-
ceive by him ; and therefore, if it would please your lord-
ship to direct your favourable letters unto the Council there
in his behalf, you should do a right meritorious deed ; and
surely I will myself write to Hke effect, but I know your
letters shall be much more esteemed and accepted than
mine. In accomplishing whereof you shall deserve of Al-
mighty God condign thanks for the same. Thus our Lord
have your good lordship in his blessed tuition. At Lam-
beth, the 24th day of July. [1638.]

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my

singular good lord^ my Lord

Privy Seal.

CCXXVI. To Crumwell.

My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I MSS.
commend me unto your lordship. And whereas I wrote J^^^^^^*"
unto you about this time* twelvemonth of one Robert Wcstmin-
Antony, subcellerar of Christ's Church in Canterbury, de- crumweir«
daring how that he was run away, and had left a very Corres-
suspicious letter in his chamber unto the Prior of the house. Original.
the copy of which letter I sent at that time unto you, if
your lordship can call it unto your remembrance : so it is,

'^ will so prove bim. Those words spake be to ine upon Sunday, the
*' 21st of this month, in the presence of one Richard Bennet, Alderman
*' of Gales. And as touching the other two articles, the said Adam and
** the Prior do agree in their sayings. God send light where darkness
'' is. Thus Jesus preserve your Grace in health. From Gales, the
" 22nd day of July. [1538.]

** Your humble servant,

*« John Butlare."]

** To my Lord of Canterbury's good Grace."
k [See Letters clxivii. clxxviii.]

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S54 LETTERS. [1BS8.

that the said Robert Anthony, being all this year forth
out of this realm without the Eing^s Grace'^s license, and
as I am informed^ at Rome, is now come home unto Chrisfs
Church again ; and since his coming, as I hear say by
such persons as both favoureth God^s word and the King^s
Majesty there, the Prior hath called a chapter^ and hath
admitted him again into the Convent, as he was before;
which in mine opinion is not well done, unless he had been
first examined by some of the Council, where he hath been,
and upon what occadon he so departed. Therefore, as a
thing appertaining unto my duty towards my sovereign
lord, I thought it expedient to advertise you thereof, to the
intent his Highness may have knowledge of the same : and
of this I am sure, that I had letters from a scholar beyond
the seas, which met him in a company going to Rome-
ward; but whether he hath been there or no I am not
sure.

Beades this, my lord, I beseech you to be good lord
unto my servant Nevell, this bearer, concerning his suit
unto you for his farm at Bowghton under the Blayne,
which he had of the Abbot and Convent of Feversham^
The truth is, that at the feast of Easter last past, or there-
about, he was a suitor for the same unto the Abbot and
his Convent: notwithstanding, they could not agree, for
certain considerations which he can declare unto your lord-
ship ; insomuch that tendering his preferment to the same,
I both spake to your lordship, and obtained your favour-
able letters unto the said Abbot and Convent in that behalf,
by means only whereof he had a lease of the same under
the Convent seal for term of fifty-one years ; and so ance
the feast of Saint John Baptiste ^ last past, he hath occu-
pied and been in possession thereof^ until now, as I am

' [The Abbey of Feversham was surrendered to Hen. VIII. on the
8tb of July 1598, and was granted by him to Sir Thomas Cheyney on
the 16th of March 1540. Lewis, Hist, of Feversham Abbey. As this Letter
was evidently written soon after the Abbey came into the King's posses-
sion, 1538 may be assumed to be its date, and this will auuiorize the
placing of Letters clxxvik, clxxviii. to which it refei-s, under 1537.]

» [ITie 24th of June.]

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1688.] LETTERS. StS5

informed, that by information of such as of late were the
King^s Commissioners, the King'^s Grace^s commandment
by you is^ that he should be dispossessed, unto such time as
his Grace^s farther pleasure be known ; which will be no
little to his loss and hinderance, except your goodness be
extended unto him in this behalf, assuting your lordship,
beside his hinderance herein, it is a great disquietness unto
me to percdve my servant and officer, (which hath not only
done me good service in my household, but also [hath
been] very towards and ready at all Umes to apply such
business as hath been committed unto me by the Eing^s
Majesty, as in the last commotion and otherways,) should
thus suddenly be expelled for so small advantage. Howbeit,
considering that he obtained this thing only by your lord-
ship^s letters and favour, I trust you will be no less good
lord unto him now, than you have been heretofore; and if
by your wisdom and discretion it shall be thought good to
reform any thing in his said lease, I doubt not but that he
will abide your lordship^s direction in that behalf. But to
have him clearly excluded, it were too much extremity,
conaideiing that he came to the same by his open and
honest suit Thus, my lord, as well in this suit as in all
other, both for myself and mine, I have no refuge but only
unto your lordship, which to recompense I shall never be
able as my mind would give me ; beseeching your lordship
in this suit that you will be so good lord unto him, as to
maintun him in this his just cause* Thus, my lord, right
heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the iiid day of
August. [1588.]

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.

To the Right Honourable and my
very special good lord^ my Lord
Privy Seal.

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256 LETTERS. [1638.

CCXXVII. To Crumwell.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, after most hearty commend-

^P**"" ations unto your lordship; I likewise thank the same for

Westfflin. your goodness toward the bringer hereof, William Swerder ■»,

^l^g^™' desiring you to continue the same. I have intended, as I

respond- showed you when I spake with you last, to send him into

ginai. "Fraunce or Italy, except you be otherwise minded to set

him forward, as truly I would be right glad it might please

you so to do ; and therefore I have sent him unto you, that

he should inform your lordship of his mind, desiring you to

be good lord unto him for his passport.

Also I heartily require your lordship to be good lord
unto Master Statham, and Mistress Statham my lord ^ of
Worcester his nurse, as touching the suit that the Bishop
of Worcester had unto you for them ; and although I
doubt not but that your lordship will be good unto them,
yet I pray you that my suit and request be not without
place, but that for my sake you will be much the better
unto them.

Moreover I beseech you most heartily to remember
Master Hutton, now absent in Flaunders P, and having none
to trust unto and that is able to help him, but only your
lordship. If you could make him an Abbot or a Prior,
and his wife an Abbess or a Prioress, he were bound unto
you, as he is nevertheless most bound unto you of all men ;
but if you would help him to such a perfection, I dare
undertake for him that he shall keep a better religion than

** [Probably the same person who was afterwards Master of East-
bridge Hospital, Canterbury. See Strype, Parker y A pp. No. 58.]

® Hugh Latymer.]

P Stephen Vaughan appears to have been the English Ambassador
in the Low Countries in 1538. (See his letters in the British Museum,
Cott. MSS. Galba B. x. and Harl. MSS. 283, 284.) Yet John Hutton
is said by Lord Herbert to have been the agent employed there this
year, to negotiate a marriage between Hen. VlII, and the Duchess of
Milan, {l^e of Hen. VIIL p. 496.) And some letters from him to the
King and to Cinimwell are preserved in the Cotton Library, Galba,
B. X. fol. 329. 333. 335. and Vespasian, c. xiii. fol. 340. In the State
Papers, (vol. i. p. 741.) John Hutton is spoken of, in 1542, as the
King's servant, and Governor of the Adventurers in Flanders.]

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1588.] LETTERS. 257

was kept there before, though you appoint him unto the
best house of religion in England. Thus Almighty Grod
long preserve your lordship. At Lambeth, the third day
of August.

These houses of religion be in Master Hutton'^s country,
Combe Abbey, Merevale, Eytun, and Polysworth '•. I be-
seech your lordship to remember him, with one of these in
special^ or any other in general.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and
my singular good lord^ my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCXXVIII. To CRUMWELL^

My very singular good Lord, after my most hearty com- MSS.
mendations unto your lordship ; these shall be to adver- Howie '
tise the same, that I have sent for Robert Antony % late Westmin-
cellerar of Christ'^s Church in Canterbury, and when he com- cell's Cor-"
eth, I shall order him according to your instruction and ad- ^^^^^'
vice, and so to get out of him what I can, concerning his ginoi.
progress to Rome-ward, and the same to send unto you
with expedition.

As concerning Adam Damplip of Calice ^, he utterly de-
nieth, that ever he taught or said that the very body and
blood of Christ was not presently in the sacrament of the
altar, and confesseth the same to be there really ; but he
saith, that the controversy between him and the Prior"
was, by cause he confuted the opinion of the ^ transubstan-

•1 [Jhese religious houses were all in Warwickshire.]

f [The greater part of this Letter is printed by Mr. Todd, Life of
Cranmer, vol. i. p. 176.]

' [See Letter ccxxvi.J

' [See Letters ccxxiv, ccxxv.]

" [Probably John Dove, Prior of the White Friars. See note (h) to
Letter ccxxv. and Foxe, Acts, &c. vol. ii. p. 656, &c,]

' [Mr. Todd suggests, that this is an allusion to the story of the three
hosu related by Foxe. See Letter ccxxv. note (h). The suggestion is

VOL. I. «

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^t58 LETTERS. [1688.

tiation, and therein I think he taught but the truth. How-
beit there came in two friars against him, to testify that he
had denied the presence of the body and blood to be in the
sacrament, which when he perceived, straightways be with-
drew himself y; and since that time no man can tell where
be is become ; for which I am very sorry^ by cause that I
think, that he is rather fled suspecting the rigour of the law,
than the defence of his own cause. In consideration hereof,
and to the intent that die people of Calice may be quiet
and satisfied in this matter, I have app(»nted two of my
chaplains z to go thither and preach inconUnently : neverthe-
less it is thought, that they shall do little good there, if the
said Prior return home again; for whatsoever hath been done
heretofore, either by my chaplains or by other, in setting

ingenious, yet, if it were well founded, Cranmer would sorely hare «sed
stronger language respecting Dainplip's " teaching the truth." His hesi-
tating tone on this point certainl^r confines Foxe's assertion, that he was
at this time a Lutheran in bis opinions on the Eucharist. And this sup-
position is farther supported by the readiness which he seems to hare
shown this same year to agree in a Confession of Faith with the am-
bassadors from the Lutheran princes in Germany. Nor is it incon-
sistent either with his being now in a commission against tlie Sacra-
mentaries, or with the part he bore some months afterwards in the ex-
amination of Lambert. For it is notorious that the Zuinglian tenets on
the Lord's Supper were attacked with as much bitterness by the Lu-
therans, as by the Papists themselves. Perhaps too, it may be recon-
ciled with his assent to the Necessary Doctrine ; for that Formulary,
though it contains some strong expressions respecting the change of
substance in the elements, does not go the length of denying that the
bread and wine still remain after consecration. It must however be
admitted to be wholly at variance with the declarations which he is
represented to have made in 1555 before Brokes^ that he had never
'' taught but two contrary doctrines*' on the subject, and, that when he
disputed with Lambert, " he maintained the papists' doctrine.^ But the
report of the examination, in which this language is said to have been
used, is of very doubtful credit. See Preface; smd JLraifitiiA^tcm before
Brokes, vol. iv. pp. 87. 95.]

y [See Letter ccxxv. note (h).]

* [Viz. " Doctor Champion, and Mr. Garret who after was burned,
** two godly and learned men, who in effect preached and maintained
*' the same true doctrine which Adam Damplip had before set forth,
** and by reason thereof they left the town at tneir departure very quiet,
'* and greatly purged of the slander that had run on it/' Foie, vol. ii.
p. 558. How it happened that the same doctrine now produced a
calm, which had just before raised a storm, Foxe does not explain.
Cranmer had proposed to send Garret to Calais on a former occasion.
See p. 145. Respecting Champion, see Letters cxlvii. clxiii.

CLXVII.J

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1638.] LETTERS. «69

forth of the word of Grod there^ no man hath hindered the
matter so much as this Prior, nor no superstition more
maintained than by this Prior ; which I perceive to be true,
both by the report of my chaplains heretofore, and of other
men of credence. I have herewith sent unto your lordship
two letters, which shall something inform you of the Prior^s
subtlety and craft, praying your lordship, that in any wise
he come not at Calice any more to tarry, but either that
the House may be suppressed, or else that an honest and a
learned man may be appointed in his room ; and forasmuch
as the Prior is here now, I pray you, my lord, that I may
have your authority, by your letter, to command him that
he return not again to Calice ^.

And where in my last letters I prayed your lordship to
remember Mr. Hutton, that he might be made an abbot or
a prior, which I doubt not that your lordship will effectiously
attempt with the King^s Majesty, yet forsomuch as his pre-
sence with the King might, as I suppose, work something
therein, me seeroeth it were very good, if he might come
home for a little time to see the King'^s Grace, which, I be-
seech your lordship, may be brought to pass, if you can by
any means. Thus, my lord, right heartily {are you well
At Lambeth, the xvth day of August

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.

To the Right Honourable and my very
singular good lord, my Lord Privy
Seal.

CCXXIX. ToCeumwbll.
After due commendations unto your lordship; so it is,MSS.
that I have received also your letters concerning the ^ Prior hoobc,

^ [Cranmer's reotiest seems to have been attended to, for be is not
mentioned in Foxe s account of dioisubsequent troubles at Calais. See
Letter ccxxix.]

*» [See Letters ccxxv. ccxiviii.]

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260 LETTERS. [1538.

Wcstmin- of the Friars at Calice, with letters from your lordship unto

Jj^*"' ^ ^y^ my Lord Deputy ^ which I sent unto him incontinently ; and

Corres- reading the copy of the same, I could not but much allow

OHff^na/. ^^^9 considering how frankly and freely you do admonish

him and provoke him, as well to favour God'^s word, as also

to the right administration of his room and office. And as

for the Prior, according to your advertisement, I have him

in safe custody, and so shall keep him until your return

into these parties, and I doubt not but there will be matter

enough for his deprivation. Thus Almighty God have your

lordship in his blessed tuition. At Lambeth, the xviiith day

of August.

^ I beseech your lordship to remember Mr. Hutton, that
by your means he may have some occasion to come over
into England.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my
singular good lord, my Lord
Privy Seal.

CCXXX. To Ceumwbll.
MSS. My very singular and especial good Lord, after my most

House^'^ hearty commendations unto your lordship ; these shall be to
Westmin- signify unto the same, that according to your letters to me
Crumwen*8^d>'6ssed the 15th day of this present month, I sent for the
Conres- Orators of Germany «, and required them in the Kincr's

Original.

^ [Arthur Plantagenet, Lord Lisle. See Letter ccxlviii.J
^ [This postscript is written by Cranmer himself.]
* [Namely, Francis Burcard, Vice-Chancellor to the Elector of
Saxony, George a Bovneburgh, Doctor of Laws, and Frederic Myconius,
Superintendent of the Church at Gotha. They were ambassadors
from John Frederic, Elector of Saxony, and Philip, Landgrave of Hesse,
and came to England at the invitation of Henry VIII, for the purpose
ot forming a league against the Pope, and of drawing up by consultation
with the English divines, a joint Confession of Faitn. See Preface ;
Burnet, Ref. vol. i. Addend; Strype, Memorials, vol. i. p. 329; and in
particular, Seckendorf, Conment. de Luther, lib. iii. §. lxvi. (6.) and
Add. i., §. Lxxiii. Add. ii. (f).]

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1688.] LETTERS. 861

Grace'iB behalf, so gentilly as I could, to demore here until state Pa-
his Highuess coining nearer into these parties; whereat'^*' ^*^** '•
they were somewhat astonished, saying, that, at the Eing^s Lett cix.
request, they would be very well content to tarry during his Todd, lAfe
pleasure, not only a month or two, but a year or two, if they wer,%ol. i.
were at their own liberty ; but forasmuch as they had been P- *5o-
so long from their princes, and had not all this season any
letters from them, it was not to be doubted but that they
were daily looked for at home, and therefore they durst not
tarry, unless the Eing^s Highness would make their excuse
of their long abode here unto their princes; and yet therein
they would give me no determinate answer by no means
that time, but they would consult together and make me an
answer the next day after. And the next day they were
fully determined to depart within eight days ; nevertheless
after long reasoning, upon hope that their tarrying should
grow unto some good success concerning the points of
their commission, which I much put them in hope of on
your behalf, they condescended and were very well con-
tented to tarry for a month, so that they should be no
longer detained ; but that after the said month should be
expired, they might take their leave, and so depart without
farther tract of time, trusting that the Eing^s Majesty
would write unto their princes for their excuse in thus long
tarrying ; besides this they require in the mean time while
they tarry here, that we may entreat of the abuses, and
put the same articles in writing, as we have done the other !f,
which thing I promised them ; nevertheless I would gladly
have the King's Grace^s pleasure and commandment therein,
whereby we shall the sooner finish the matter.

K [The onler pursued in these conferences was that which was
marked out by the Confession of Augsburgh, namely, first to lay down
the Chief Articles of Faith, and then to point out the abuses which
needed correction. It seems that the two parties had come to an
agreement on the former, and that the foreign ambassadors were now
anxious to proceed to the discussion of the latter. In the Appendix
will be found a Form of Doctrine from the State Paper Office, which
may be conjectured to be the Chief Articles to which both parties had
assented. See Preftice; Letter from Myconius to Crumwell, in Strype,
Memorials, vol. i. App. No. 95 ; and Letter ccxxxi.]

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LETTERS. [1688.

Farther, by cause that I have in great suspect that Su
Thomas of Canterbury ^ his bkxxl^ in Christ's Church in

^ [The date of this Letter shakes the credit of a story, which is nol
only related by Roman Catholic historians, hat has been admitted by
Wilkins into his Concilia, and believed by some other protestant
writers. It is pretended, that Becket, before the spoliation of his
shrine, was formally cited to appear at Westminster to stand his trial,
and after the pleading of counsel on both sides, was pronounced guilty
of rebellion and treason. Chrysostom Henriquez details the proceed-
ings with much minuteness, and professes to dve translations of tlie
emcial instruments. Of these, the citation is dated the 24th of April ;
the sentence of confiscation, the 11th of June; and the King's warrant
for its execution, the 11th of August, 1538. Surely, if all this had really
taken place, if in fact the hte of Becket's tomb had been already
sealed, Cranmer would scarcely, on the 18th of August, without the
slightest allusion to the previous prosecution, have made the applica-
tion which is contained in this Letter. But farther, it is also stated,
that the sentence was carried into execution on the 19th of August ;
that the shrine was then plundered, and twenty-six waggon loiuls of
treasure conveyed away. It happens singularly enough, that an account
has been preserved of the reception at Canterbury about this time of
Madame de Montreuil, a French lady of rank. Among other enter-
tainments, it is related that she was taken to see the great wonder of
the town, St. Thomas's shrine : " at the which she was not little mar-
^ veiled of the great riches thereof; saying to be innumerable, and
'< that if she had not seen it, all the men m the world could never have
'< made her to believe it. Thus overlooking and viewing more than
<' an hour as well the shrine as St. Thomas' head, being at both set
*' cushions to kneel, and the Prior opening St. Thomas* head, saying to
" her three times * This is St. Thomas' head,' and offered her to kiss it,
** but she neither kneeled, nor would kiss it, but still viewing the riches
'* thereof." Now this visit took place on the 1st of Sept. 1538, nearly
a fortnight afler the time, at which the shrine according to the Roman
Catholic authorities was plundered, and when therefore Madame de
Montreuil, instead of aomiring its splendour, ought to have been
mourning over its fall. This comparison of dates overthrows com-
pletely the details of Henriquez's narrative, and excites also a strong
suspicion, that the whole story of Becket's trial, notwithstanding the
support which it derives from the language of a papal bull, is a fabrica-
tion. The motive for such a forcery is sufficiently obvious, since the pa-
pist would thus be furnished with materials for recrimination, when re-
proached by the protestant with the post mortem citations of Wiclif,
Fagius,and Bucer. See Letter from Penison to Crumwell,in State Paper$,
vol. i. p. 583 ; Wilkins, Concilia, vol. iii. p. 835. 841; Lingnrd, fitt^. of
Engl. vol. vi. p. 359. 8vo; Todd, Life (^Cranmer, vol. i. p. 242.

The treasures however of Becket's tomb were not left long untouched
afler the visit of Madame de Montreuil; and perhaps their seizure may
have been hastened by the information communicated by Cranmer in this
Letter. The particulars of the spoliation are thus described by Stow,
under Sept. 1538. '< The shrine of Thomas Becket, in the Priory of
** Christ Church, was taken to the King's use. This shrine was builded
** about a man's height, all of stone, then upward of timberplain ;
*' within the which was a chest of iron, containmg the bones of Thomas

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1688.] LETTERS. 268

Canterbury, is but a feigned thing, and made of some red
ochre or of such Kke matter ; I beseech your lordship that
Doctor Lee^ and Doctor Barborl^, my chaplains, may have
the King^s commission to try and examine that and all
other like things there, llius, my lord, right heartily fare
you well, praying you to ^ve farther credence unto this
bearer. At Lambeth, the 18th day of August.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien,

To the Right Honourable and my
very singular good lord^ my L<Mrd
Privy Seal.

CCXXXI. ToCeumwell.

My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I Cotton
commend me unto your lordship. And where that the^ij^p g^^
Orators of Germany, when they granted to tarry one month ^, f. aia. Un-
required that we diould go forth in their book and entreat Q^j^t,
of the abuses, so that the same miirht be set forth in^^/^*'\!V*

^ *^ App. B. III.

No. 48.
*' Becket, skull and all, with the wouud of his death, and the piece cut
** out of his skull laid in the same wound. These bones (by command-

** ment of the Lord Crumwell) were then and there burnt. ^The

** spoil of which shrine in gold and precious stones filled two great
** chests, such as six or eight strong men could do no more than convej
*' one of them at once out of the cburch.** Annais, A document io
the State Paper Office printed by Collier, (vol. ii. No. 47.) contradicts
the statement respecting the burning of the bones, and asserts that
they were " according to reason collocate secretly, where tliere shall
« be no cause of superstition given by them.'' These proceedings were
followed in November by a royal proclamation, declaring that Thomas
Becket was no saint, and commanding that his images should be put
down throughout the realm, and his festival days no longer observed.
Burnet, Ref. vol. iii. App. B. iii. No. 62. See also CrumwelKs Injunc-
tions of Sept. 1538J

* [Probably the Doctor Leigh, who was Cranraer's Commissary, and
who seems in that capacity to have incurred the hatred of the papists.
It may be doubted wliether the Index to Strype is correct in identifying
him with Thomas Legh, who had been one of the visitors of religious
houses, and who was commissioned by the King in 1643, to inquire into
the accusations against the Archbishop. See Strype, Cranmerf pp.
116. 120.]

^ [Probably the same person who is mentioned in Letters ccv. ccxli.]

' [See Letter ccxxx.]

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264 LETTERS. 11538.

writing as the other articles are °*; I have since effectiously
moved the bishops thereto, but they have made me this an-
swer ; that they know that the King'^s Grace hath taken
upon himself to answer the said Orators in that behalf, and
thereof a book is already devised by the King^s Majesty "* ;
and therefore they will not meddle with the abuses, lest tbey
should write therein contrary to that the King shall write.
Wherefore they have required me to entreat now of the sa-
craments of matrimony, orders, confirmation, and extreme
unction o; wherein they know certmnly that the Germans
will not agree with us, except it be in matrimony only.
So that I perceive that the bishops seek only an occasion
to break the concord ; assuring your lordship that nothing
shall be done, unless the King^s Grace^s special command-
ment be unto us therein directed. For they manifestly see
that they cannot defend the abuses, and yet they would in
no wise grant unto them.

Farther, as concerning the Orators of Germany, I am
advertised that they are very evil lodged where they be ;
for besides the multitude of rats daily and nightly running
in their chambers, (which is no small disquietness,) the
kitchen standeth directly against their parlour where they
daily dine and sup, and by reason thereof the house savour-
eth so ill, that it oifendeth all men that come into it P.
Therefore, if your lordship do but ofier them a more com-
modious house to demore in, I doubt not but that they will
accept that offer most thankfully, albeit I am sure that they
will not remove for this time.

" [See Letter ccxxx. note (g).]

" frhe Letter of the German ambassadors, and the King*s answer,
which was drawn up by Tunstall, mav both be seen in Burnet, Ref.
vol. i. Add. Nos. 7 and 8. The abuses most insisted on by the
Germans were three ; viz. the administration of tlie Eucharist in one
kind only, the practice of private masses, and the forced celibacy of the
clergyj

*^[Tnese four out of the seven Romish sacraments were omitted in
the Augsburgh Confession ; Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and Penance,
being retain^. See Sylloge Ccnfessionumy Oxf. 18^7 .J

P [Yet Seckendorf says, that they lived splendidly and kept a liberal
table, and that their expenses were considered heavy by the German
princes. Camm. de Luth. Lib. iii. §. lxvi. (9).]

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1588.] LETTERS. 266

And whereas of late I did put your lordship in remem- ,
brance for the suppression of the Abbey of Tudberye^; now '
I beseech your lordship, not only that commisgioners may
be sent unto that house, but also in likewise unto the Abbey \- -
of Rocester^ or Crockesdon^; beseeching your lordship
to be good lord unto this bearer Frances Basset, iny
servant, for his preferment unto a lease of one of the said
houses ; not doubting but you shall prefer a right honest
man, who at all times shall be able to do the King^s Grace
right good service in those parts, and also be at your lord-
ship^s commandment during his life. Thus Almighty Grod
have your good lordship in his blessed tuition. At Lam-
beth, the xxiiid day of August.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.

CCXXXII. ToCeumwell.

My very singular good Lord, after most hearty recom- mss.
mendations to your lordship ; I desire you to be good lord House^*^
to this bearer, an old acquaintance of mine in Cambridge, a Westoiio-
man of good learning in divers kinds of letters, but specially crumwcirc
in the Latin tongue, in the which he hath obtained ex-^*'*^**-
cellent knowledge by long exercise of reading eloquent ow^timi/.
authors, and also of teaching, both in the University, and
now in Ludlow, where he was bom. His purpose is, for

<J [The Priory of Tutbury, in Staffordshire, was surrcDdered 30 Hen.
VIII ; and the site was granted 6 £dw. VI. to Sir William Cavendish.
Tanner, NotUiu Moiuut.J

' [Tlie Abbey of Black Canons at Roucester, or Rocettur, in Dove-
dale, having yearly revenues to the amount only of 111/, lis. 7d.
came under the Act for the suppression of the lesser monasteries.
The site was granted 31 Hen. VIII. to Richard Trentham, Esq.
Tanner, Notitia Monast.'^

* [<' The monastery otCrokesden or Croxden, Staffordshire, had an
" Abbot and twelve Monks, whose yearly revenues were worth, 26
" Hen. VIII, 103/. 6s, Id. Speed. Though this was one of the lesser
<' Abbeys, and so should have been dissolved by S7 Hen. VIII, yet
<< the King was pleased to continue this house, which finally sur-
"rendered 30 Hen. VIII. The site was granted 36 Hen. VIII. to
" Jeffry Foljamb." Tanner, 'Notitia Monast.']

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866 LETTERS. [1688.

causes moving his conscience, (which he hath opened to me,
and will also to your lordship,) to renounce his priesthood ;
whereby he feareth (the rawness and ignorance of the people
is such in those parties,) that he should lose his salary whereof
he should live, except he have your lordship^s help. Where-
fore, I beseech your lordship to write for him your letters
to the Warden of the Guild there and his brethren, which
hath the collation of the sud school, that he may con-
tinue in his room and be schoolmaster still, notwithstanding
that he left the office of priesthood ; which was no further-
ance, but rather an impediment to him in the applying of
his scholars. There is no foundation nor ordinance, as he
showeth me, that the schoolmaster thereof should be a
priest. And I beseech you to be good lord unto him in
any farther suit which he shall have unto your lordship.
Thus Almighty God long preserve your lordship. At Lam-
beth, the xxvth day of August.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCXXXIII. To Crumwell.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I

Hoiise ' commend me unto your lordship. And whereas I am cre-

WcstmiD- dibly informed that Mr. Parker, brother unto the Abbot

Cromwcirs^f Gloucester, is departed, who, amongs other his promo-

Corres- tions, had the Deanery of a College «*, named Tameworth

Original, College, within the County of Stafford, being of the King'^s

Grace^s collation: these shall be most heartily to desire

your lordship, inasmuch as that country is destitute of

learned men and preachers, that you will have in remem-

" [It was a College for a dean and six prebendaries. Tanner, Noiitia
Monast, ; wbo admits that the prebends were in the gift of the King,
bot questions bis being the patron of the deanery.]

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1688.] LETTERS. 267

brance Doctor Barons^ unto the King's Majesty, for his
preferment thereunto. Your lordship knoweth full well, that
hitherto he hath had very small preferment for such pains
and travail, as he most willingly hath sustained in the King's
affairs from time to time. Howbeit, I doubt not but the
King's Grace and your lordship doth perceive such fidelity
and towardness in the man, that he hath deserved a greater
Uving than this promotion ; which is esteemed unto me, but
at the clear yearly value of xx"- or thereabouts ; beseeching
your lordship eftsoons to be his good lord in this behalf,
and that the rather at this mine instant request. Thus,
my lord, right heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the
xxviii. day of August.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my
singular good lord^ my Lord
Privy Seal.

CCXXXIV. ToCkumwell.

My singular good Lord, after my most hearty commen- MSS.
dations ; these shall be to beseech your lordship to direct houm,'
your letters unto Mr. Vawghan, willing him to send home Wesimin-
into England Mistress Button y, so that she may come well's Cor-
from thence without danger of the law, bringing with her^^°^.j.^
only her apparel ; and the rest of the goods to be kept there, erinar.
until your lordship's farther pleasure be known in that

^ [There can be little doubt, that the person here recommended is
Doctor Robert Barnes, who bad been emplo^red as ambassador to the
German princes in 1535, and who in 1540 was burnt, together with Garret
and Jerom, for holding heretical opinions. What these opinions were, is
not clearly ascertained, as the Act of attainder under which he suffered,
takes the convenient course of saying, that '^ their number was too lon^
** to be repeated." But of two grievous offences Barnes was un-
doubtedly guilty ; he had been employed in negotiating Henry's mar-
riage with Anne of Cleves, and he had preached against Gardyner.
See Burnet, Ref, vol. i. p. 590, &c.]

y [See Letters ccxxvii, ccxxviii, ccxxix. ccxxxv.J

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LETTERS. [1688.

behalf. Thus, my lord, most heartily fare you well. At
Lambeth, the second day of October.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCXXXV. To Crumwell.

MSS. My singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I com-

Chapter- mend me to your lordship. And where of late * I wrote

WestroiD- unto your lordship in the behalf of Mistress Hutton:

^rs^Co™ t'^^se shall be eftsoons to beseech you, my lord, to direct

respond, your letters unto Mr. Vawghan, willing him so to see her

ginal. discharged from those parties where she is now, that she may

come home incontinently into England, without danger of

the law, bringing with her all such apparel as appertaineth

unto her and to her chamber ; and as for the other stuff,

there to remain, until your lordship's farther pleasure be

known in that behalf. Thus, my lord, right heartily fare

you well.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCXXXVI. To Crumwell.

MSS. After ray most hearty commendations unto your good

Hou.***^'^ lordship ; these shall be to signify unto you, that a scholar
Wcatniiu- of Oxford hath uttered unto me certain things, which, foras-
weirsCor^ ^^^^ ^ ^^^y appertain unto the Kings's Majesty, I send
respond- them unto your lordship herein enclosed • to be examined

* [Letter ccxxxiv.

* [This eDclosure has been preserved, at least in part. All that is
extant is here subjoined, both because it gives a lively picture of the

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1588.] LETTERS. 269

by you : and if your lordship require farther information in encc. Ori^

ginnl.

divisions which at that time probably existed in roost colleges, and
also because several of the persons mentioned in it were distinguished
men, and some of them too, distinguished afterwards on a different side
from that to which they were now attached. The complaints came, as
will be seen by the names given, from Corpus Christi College.

"JESUS.

" As CONCERNING Mr. DoN •*.

1. " I, Gregory Stremer, do testify, that Mr. Don said that Sir Mar-
" shall should make satisfaction for the putting out of this word papa
** in Saint Gregory's works in our library.

<2. '' I, Edmunde Mervyn, testify, that sythe that time, when as Sir
" Martial 1 laid that same to his charge again, he denied it not, but said
" these words, * Mary, and I say yet, that it is not necessary to put
" out papa out of profene books.

3. '' The said Mr. Don, when it was his part, in his collation made
" to the company, to declare the just abrogation of the Bishop of
" Rome's usurped power, went about specially to persuade that the
<* bishop might be called papa, and that it was but a foolish phantasy
" of men to make so much about the name papa, because divers bishops,
<< besides the Bishop of Rome, were so called.

{Gregory Stremer, Hue Goode,
John Bondell,

4. " I, Gregory Stremer, Richard Martiall, and Edmunde Marvyn,
*' were talking with Mr. Don in his chamber, and I willed him to teach
" the youth why the Bishop of Rome was expulsed ; ' for I think,' said
*' I, ' none of them can tell why it is done.' Then said Mr. Don these
" words: * No more can I.' ' No?' said I; * what mean you, Mr. Don, by
" * that? Bear record, masters.' Then, after a little deliberation, he said, he
** could not tell why he was expulsed, by cause he never knew any au-
** thority he had here ; which interpretation afterwards was allowed of
" Mr. Doctor Cotes *^, then being in the Commissary's place. In witness
<* whereof we have here subscribed our names.

" Gregory Stremer, Edmund Mervyn.
" Richard Marshall,

5. '^ He affirmed, in a lesson which he read at Wytney, that men
** make laws now a days for money, not for profit of the commonweal.

" Hue Goode,

** Edmunde Marvyn.

^ [John Dunne was Greek Lecturer at C. C C. about this time.]
« [Afterwards *' the furious and zeloticall" Dean of Christ Church,
" who, to show bis spite against the reformation, had caused Peter Martyr's
*< wife, who deceased while he was the King's Professor, to be taken out of
«* her grave, and buried in his dunghill.'* Strype, Cranmery p. 373. See also
Wood, Fwtti^ vol. i. p. 78. He was one of the witnesses against Cranmer, in Sept
'555- See Processus contra Cranm. in Strype, Add. (Ed. Oxf. 1812.) ]

^ [George Cotes of Magd. Coll. was admitted Doctor of Divinity 5 July
1536, and became Master of Balliol 30 Nov. 1539. Wood, Fasti, and Hist,
of Oxford, He must on this occasion have acted as deputy to Dr. Tresham,
who was Commissary of the University, without interruption, from 1534 to
1546. Wood, Fasti.]

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270 LETTERS. 11638.

this behalf; I think the said scholar can partly instruct you

6. '* The said Don preached at Wytney in a sermoD, that the old
'< time good men were wont to build and maintain churches, and now
<* they be more ready to pluck them down.

« Hue Goode,

" Edmunde Marvyn.

" Mr. Slater.

7. '* Mr. Slate hath accused Hue Goode, Gervase Huche, RichaFd
" and John Wye, John Lane, unto their friends wrongfully, and hath
" continued in troubling of them ever since they b^an to be conver-
'< sant with Mr. Stremer and Richard Martiall, which hath been ab-
*< horred in all the College, syth they began to call upon the officers of
'* the said College for fulfilling of the King's commandments, as toucb-
'* ing the abolishing of the Pope's name, and preaching against the
*' popish doctrine, and certain other things commanded by the King's
** commissioners at the last visitation.

•* Gregory Stremer, Hue Goode,

** Edmunde Marvyn, Richard Marshail,

" Richard Wye, John Wye.

" Sir Turnbull.

8. " Sir Turnbull, reader of logic, wresteth good questions which the
" scholars put forth in their disputations to Duns' quiddities.

" Gregory Stremer, Hue Goode.

9. "Jo. Edwards, I. Goidge, Jamys Broke*, William Chedsey^,
" Masters of Arts, keep the youth of this College from the knowledge of
^ God's word, grudging and resisting to their power against such ordi-
" nances as make to the spreading of the gospel, and extirping of
" ungodly and papbtical doctrine.

" Gregory Stremer, Richard Marshall
" Hue Goode, Edmunde Marvyn,

"Richard Wye, John Wye.

" Paj)a was written into a calendar of a book in our CoUegc Chapel
" after it had been once put out, by whom we cannot tell.

" John Garrett, Richard Maraliall,

" George Etberige K, John Morwen K

• [The same who was afterwards Master of Balliol Cc^lege, Bishop of
Gloucester, and the Pope's Subdelegate at Crjinmei's trial m 1555. Wood,
AthetuB^ vol. i. p. 133.]

'' [** He was by the protestants accounted a very mutable and unconstant
'' man in his religion, but by the Roman Catholics not, but rather a great
" stickler for their religion, and the chief prop in his time In the University
" for the cause, as it appeared not only in his opposition of P. Martyr, but
'* of the three bishops tiiat were burnt in Ozon." Wood, Atknutf voL L
p. 137. See his Disputation with Cranmer, vol. iv. p. 8.]

r [George Etheridge, afterwards ProfSessor. of Greek, who appears here in
the ranks of the reformers, was forward against them under Qu. Mary. In one
of the discussions at Oxford in 1555, he proposed that Ridley should be
gagged ; and his name appears in the promdings agunst Cranmer in tiie
same year. Sec Foxe, Acts, &c voL iiL p. 500; Wood, Athendt, vol. i.
P* ^37; Processus contra Cranm, p. 1080.]

b [John Morwen, noted for his knowledge of Greek, was a private in.
structor of John Jewell, though afterwards a hater of his opinions. Wood,
Athcmgy vol. 1. p. 82. See Humphrey, Hfe 0/ Jewell.']

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1688.] LETTERS. 271

therein. Thus, my lord, most heartily fare you well. At
Lambeth, the 8th day of October.

ThefoUawing Articles are on a different sheet, but obviously belong to the
foregoing complaint,

1. <' Not fulfilling the King's Injunctions^ which reauire preachinj^.

2. '< Itena, Not singing the collect for the King in the mass^ agreeing
^< to the Injunctions.

3. *' Item^Not blotting out papay until it was witliin this half year,
'< and singing the said papa openly in the church.

4. '^ Item, Fapa written again, after it had been once put out, into a
'' certain church book, tliroughout the calendar.

5. *^ Item, A book continual four years suffered in the library, which
^ called them heretics and schismatics that did not set the bishop of
" Rome above all powers, as kings and emperors, &c.

6. *' Item, Another book which was named Alexander de Hayles,
" which proved the Bishop of Rome above all powers.

7. '^ Item, They would not suffer the Bible to be read openly in the
'< hall at dinners, as the statue biddeth, till that we ourselves proffered
" to read it.

8. ** Item, Mr. Chedsay, one of the deans, said, that if he saw any
*^ scholar have a New Testament in his band, he would bum it.

9. '' Item, Mr. Shepreve ' said, that studying of the Scripture was
'^ subversion of ^ood order^ and that, if he durst, he would bar us from
" reading of Scnpture.

10. *< Item, That Mr. Donne would have had satisfactionof Sir Mar-
^ shall for putting out papa in Gregory's works in the library.

11. '* Item, Mr. Slater said, the were were some in the house which
" could prove the Bishop of Rome's authority.

12. '* Item, Mr. Goyge reported in Hamsher, that Sir Marwin and
*^ Sir Marshall were heretics, and had heresy books, and were naught.

13. '' Item, Mr. Slater forbade the scholars a company.

14. << Item, The divinity lesson, which ought by the statote above all
<< other lessons to be read, is not read.

15. *< Item, Mr. Sraythe said, that such as Sir Marshall is, have done
<^ much hurt with preaching.

16. ^* Item, That few or none, except the Masters, have any part of
** Scripture in their chamber.

17. " Item, Sir Garret for saying that it were better for Sir Marshall
<< to let papa alone tiian put it out of the church books, was punished
** with losing a fortnight's commons, and had his meat and dnnk given
«« him.

18. *' Item, Sir TnmbuU said, when four of Sion, London, and
<' Sheenei^, were put to execution for holding with the Bishop of Rome,
<< that he trusted to have a memory of them among other of the saints
" one day.

19. '^ Item, Sir Bocher said, that all they which be of the new learn-
<< ing, were advoutrers and naughty knaves.

90. ^* Item, Mr. Donne called Sir Marvin and Sir Marshall Neo-
'^ Chnstianos, i. e. a new kind of Christian men.

21. " Mr. Slater complained of certain to their firiends, because he
" perceived them to favour the truth.

* [Hebrew Professor of the University about 1538. See bis praises as a
linguist and a poet in Wood, Jthenm, vol i. p. 60.]
^ [See Letter cxlv.]

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LETTERS.

[15S8.

^ My Lord, I beseech you to be good lord unto M. Bui,
parson of Norflete, whom I have known many years to be
a man of good learning, judgment, soberness, and a very
quiet man, whatsoever report is made of him to the con-
trary.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

MSS.
Chapter
House,
Westmin-
ster;
Crum-
well's
Corres-
pondence.
OriginaU

CCXXXVIl. ToCrumwell.

My very singular good Lord, after my most hearty com-
mendations unto your good lordship; these shall be to
yield unto you my most hearty thanks for this bearer
Markeham, to whom, as I understand, you are so good
lord as to prefer him to the farm of the Priory of Newsted,
beseeching your lordship, as you have herein been his
especial good lord, so you will continue; and I doubt not,
but that he shall so handle himself, both in the King's
service, and towards your lordship, that you shall not for-
think that you have done for him. Thus, my lord, most
heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the 10th day of Oc-
tober.

^ The two Observants whom you sent unto me to be
examined, have confessed that which I suppose is high
treason. I shall send them with their depositions unto your
lordship this night or tomorrow.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

22. " Item, Mr. Donne forbade reading of the Bible in the hall.

23. <* Item, The Masters and Fellows of the house which be counted
** of the new learning, as they called it, be admitted neither to any
" office, ne yet to any council of the College business."]

1 [These postscripts are in Cranmer*8 handwriting.]

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1538.] LETTERS. «78

CCXXXVIII. ToCeumwell.
My very singular and especial good Lord, in my mostMSS.
hearty wise I commend me unto you. And whereas InJJlfse'^
understand that the town clerkship of Calais standeth now Westmin-
as void, so that it is in their election there to choose a newcri^weir«
, officer ; forasmuch, my lord, as there is one of Gray'*s Inn, Corres-
named Nicolas Bacon i^, whom I know entirely to be both OHgmtU.
of such towardness in the law, and of so good judgment
touching Chrisfs religion, that in that stead he shall be
able to do God and the King right acceptable service:
these shall be most heartily to beseech your lordship, by
cause I have often times heretofore wished to have that town
furnished with some officers of right judgment, that you
will direct your favourable letters unto the Mayor of Calice
and other the King^s officers there, moving them to prefer
this man in their election to that room ; which thing I do
more willingly require of your lordship, by cause that I am
credibly informed that certain of the head officers there
would gladly have him amongs them in this said room; and
therefore, not doubting but that your lordship shall think
your letters well bestowed hereafter herein, shall now be-
seech you to be his good lord in this behalf. Thus, my
lord, right heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the xxiii.
day of October.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord^
my Lord Privy SeaL

^ [Nicholas BacoD, afterwards Lord Keeper of tka Great Seal, was
now about twenty-eight years of age, and it is not unlilb^y that this re-
commendation by Cranmer may have led to his subsequciU advance-
ment. His biographers do not mention that he was ever town clerk of
Calais, but he must have been employed early in the Kinj^s service,
for about 1544 he received a grant of some of the possessions aC the
dissolved monastery of Bury St. Edmund's, as '^ a proof of the fiti-
** mation in which he was held by his Majesty.'' See Chalmers, ^u}g9.
Diet,]

VOL. I.

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274 LETTERS. [1638.

CC XXXIX. To Crumwell.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, in my right hearty wise I

Houa!^'^ commend me unto your lordship: and whereas I under-
Westmin- stand, that one Crofts ^ being now in the Tower, and like to
we\Vs Cor- ^ attainted of treason, hath a benefice in Somersettsbere,
^^'^Ori "*™^ Shipton Mallet, but of the yearly value of xxvi**-,
g^, which being the very parish where Doctor Champion P, my
chaplain, was born, and where all his kinsfolk and friends
now dwell, is for no man so meet a promotion as for him ;
and, forasmuch as the said Doctor Champion doth trust
and hope that your lordship beareth him such favour, that^
when occasion should be offered, you would do him a good
turn : these shall be heartily to desire you, my lord, to find
the means that the said Doctor Champion may be preferred
unto the said benefice by your favour and aid, or else to
show unto me your good advice how that I may obtidn it
for him, in case it fall void at this time. The King'*s
Majesty and my Lord Dalawarre giveth it akemis victbuSj
and the King^s Grace gave it last ; now whether his Grace
doth give it again by reason of this attainder you can best
tell : beseeching your lordship so to extend your accustomed
benevolence towards the ssdd Doctor Champion, that by
your procurement he may have the benefice, whosoever
giveth it. Wherein I assure your lordship you shall do more
for his commodity and preferment, than if you should give
him a promotion worth ten of it in value, by cause that
thereby he shall not only have occa^on to do some good
continually in his native country by preaching there the
word of God, but also help the judgments of his own kins-
men and friends the sooner by this means. Thus, my lord^

^ [George Crafte was Rector of Shepton Mallet, in 1535. Val. Eccles.
George Crofts, Chancellor of the Cathedral of Chichester, was indicted
for denj^ing the King's supremacy on the 4th of Dec. 1538. Burn. Ref.
vol. i. p. 719. There can be little doubt of their identity. Crofls was
implicated in the charges of treason brought against the Marquis of
Exeter, Henry Pole Lord Montacute, and otliers ; and was executed
in the following January. Stow, Annals,

P rSee Letter clxiii. |

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1588.] LETTERS. 275

most heartily fare you well. At Lambeth, the xiiiith day of
November. [1638.]

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my
BJngnlar good lord^ my Lord Privy
SeaL

CCXL. To Cbumwell.

My very singular good Lord, after most hearty recom- mss.
mendations ; this shall be to signify unto you, that this day ^*>»P*«r
the King^s Highness sent me a commandment to be with Westmin-
him tomorrow at ten of the clock, which I cannot do, if I J^ig^co™'
be with you at Stepney before nine of the clock. Rut for respond-
so much as his Grace hath appointed me to be at two Q^if^ai.
sundry places about one time, which I cannot accomplish, Hohgraph,
and I dare disappoint neither of his commandments without
his Grace countermand the same; therefore I will send
unto his Grace to know his determinate pleasure herein,
and I will not fail to wait upon you at Stepney, at your
hour assigned, unless the Eing^s pleasure be to the contrary.
Thus Almighty God ever preserve your lordship to his
pleasure. From Lamehithe, the xix. day of November.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.

To my singular good lord^ my Lord
Privy Seal be this delivered.

CCXLI. To Cbumwell.

My singular good Lord, after my right hearty recom- mss.
mendations. Whereas I am credibly informed that jour^^^^^
servant, Doctor Cave % if it may stand with your lordship'^s Wesiniin-

^ [Neither this name, nor that of Barbar, is to be foand in Ant. Wood's
account of Christ Charch. Respecting Barbar, see Letters ccv. ccxxx.]

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276 LETTERS. [1538.

8ter;Cnim- pleasure, is right willing to leave a prebend, which he now
JSrond^' hath in the King's Majesty's College at Oxforthe, to my
ence. Ori- chaplain, Doctor Barbar ; albeit, I know myself so much
*^''*'^ bounden unto your lordship, for your ready gentilness to-
wards me in all my suits heretofore, that I would not
gladly at this time trouble your lordship with this thing,
yet having no other mean to the King's Highness, of whose
gift the said prebend is, for the obtaining of the same, and
considering the qualities and learning of the said Doctor
Barber, which I think be not to your lordship all unknown,
I am compelled in this, as in all other my business, to have
recourse to your lordship, heartily desiring your favour
towards him herein; whereby yoiir lordship shall not only
do for an honest and meet man, but also bind me to do you
any pleasure as may lie in my power. From Lambethe,
the 21. day of November.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my
singular good lord, my Lord Privy
Seal.

CCXLII. ToCbumwell.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I

Chapter commend me unto your lordship. And so herewidial send
Westmin- unto you Sir Henry ad Cortbeke, the Dutch priest, to
CnimweU'8 receive the 20"- which on Tuesday last your lordship sud
Coires- you would deliver unto him ; and farther, 1 desire your
^HginS'. lordship that he may have the King's letters patents freely
to be a denizen, and in that behalf to appoint one to pro-
cure it forth for him, to whom he may resort for the same,
or else he shall never obtain it himself, by cause he can
neither speak English, nor hath no manner of acquaintance
to promote his cause in mine absence ; beseeching your lord-
ship also to have the said Sir Henry in remembrance unto
the King's Majesty for some honest stipend for the main-

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1638.] LETTERS. 877

tenance of his living; wherein your lordship shall do a right
good and meritorious deed. Thus, my lord, right heartily
fare you welL At Lambeth, the S8th day of November.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my
singular good lord, my Lord Privy
Seal

CCXLIII. ToCeumwell,

After most hearty commendations unto your good Lord- MSS.
ship ; these shall be to signify unto the same, that I have ^oa^
received your letters dated at Hampton Court, the 1 8th day Westmio-
of December, by which I perceive that the King^s Majesty ^elVs Cor-"
hath nominated and appointed you to the offices of the'^P**"^^
High Stewardship of all my franchises, and Master of the gmoL
game of all my chases and parks, by reason of the attainder
of Sir Edward Nevell ', knight, and thereupon you require
for your better assurance my confirmation in that behalf:
surely, my lord, I am right glad that you of all other hath
the preferment thereof; and if it shall please you to send
unto me the tenor of the King^s letters patents to you made
for the same, I will make unto you such lawful assurance
as in me shall be ; and to the intent your lordship may be
ascertained what grants my predecessor made of the said
office, I send unto you herewithal the copies of the said
grants. And as touching the said office of the Stewardship
of the liberties, the same of late hath not been duly exer-
cised as it ought to have been, by reason whereof, as I am
informed by the learned counsel, the interest therein by the

• [Sir Edward Nevill, brother to the late Lord Abergavenny, was
included in the prosecution of the Marquis of Exeter and others, which
has been mentioned in a preceding note. The special matter charged
against him was, that he had said the King was a beast, and worse than
a beast. He was condemned for treason on the 4th of Dec. 1538,
and was beheaded with the Marquis of Exeter and Lord Montacute,
on Tower Hill, the 9th of Jan. 1539. Burnet, Ref, vol. i. p. 717.
Stow, AnnaltJ]

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278 LETTERS. [1538.

said grant heretofore made is forfeited ; so that, if the law
will permit, I will be glad to assure it to you for term of
your life, or else it will appertain unto the lord of Bur-
gayvenys. Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you well.
At Forde, the 14th day of December. [1588.]

My Lord, I pray you accomplish my suit for this bearer^
my servant, Francis Basset, concerning the monastery of
Croxden % and I will not fail to accomplish my promise
unto you concerning the same.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my
singular good lord, my Lord Privy
Seal.

CCXLIV. To Ceumwell.
Mss. ]V{y singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I corn-

House, mend me unto your lordship ; signifying to the same, that
Westmin- ^y^^^ jg bought before me one Henry Totehill for naughty
communication " which he should speak concerning the Bi-

' [See Letters xxxi. ccxlv. Lord Abergavenny seems to have been
Steward of the Liberties, and Sir Edward N evilly Master of the
Game, &c.]

* [See Letter ccxxxi. This postscript is in Cranmer's handwriting.]

" fXhe following is the account given of this" naughty communication"
by tne principal witness. It conveys some information respecting the
means then used to render the papal supremacy unpopular, and the
jealous attention which was paid even to the idle conversation of
drunkards.

" John Alford, of the age of 18 years, examined, saitb, that by reason
*' that he had been in Christmas time at my Lord of Canterbury's,
<< and there had heard an interlude concerning King John, about 8 or
" 9 of the clock at night on Thursday the second day of January last
" past, spake these words following in the house oi Thomas Brown :
** • That It is pity that the Bishop of Rome should reign any longer, for
" * if he should, the said Bishop would do with our Kmg as he did with
" * King John.' Whereunto this deponent saith, that Henry Totehill
" answered and said : ' That it was pity and naughtily doflfe to put down
" ' the Pope and St. Thomas : for the Pope was a good man, and
** *St. Thomas saved many such as this deponent was, from haneine.'"
Another witness adds, that "Totehill should say that the oW law
"was as good as the new." And a third, that when reproved for
his tnlk he declared, that " he thought no harm to no man/' and

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1639.1 LETTERS. 879

shop of Rome and Thomas Beckett *, which matter I have Crumweil's
examined; as your lordship shall farther perceive by a bill of ^^^^
the depositions herein enclosed. And forasmuch as John Chig^.
Alforde, the principal accuser, is one that hath no certain
biding place, 1 have sent him with the said Totehill unto
your lordship, to the intent that he may avouch his words
before you in the presence of the said Totehill.

Farther, this shall be to advertise your lordship, that I
have taken upon me your office in punishing of such trans-
gressors as break the Eing^s Injunctions Y; for already I
have committed two priests unto the castle of Canterbury,
for permitting the Bishop of Romeo's name in their books j
the one of them lay there until it had cost him four or five
mark, and yet notwithstanding, I commanded him to give
4"' in alms after I had delivered him out of the castle,
which he refused to do, and then was again committed unto
the castle ; at length, considering his expences and punish-
ment in prison, it is concluded that he shall give 40 shillings
unto his poor neighbours, at the distribution of Sir Edward
Ringeley and other Justices. As for the other priest, being
but a curate, I have still in tlie castle until such time as he
be condignly punished, for he hath little store of money to
bestow in alms; howbeit I have commanded the parson
where he was curate, to give 40 shillings in alms unto his
poor neighbours. Thus much have I done on your behalf,
remitting the rest unto your discretion, if you think it other-
wise to be punished, beseeching your lordship to send me
word, how I shall behave myself hereafter in punishing of
such o£Pences. Thus, most heartily fare you well. At
Forde, the 11th day of January. [1539 ^.]

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.

To the Right Honourable and my sin.
gular good lord, my Lord Privy Seal.

moreover, that " he was drunken." MSS. Chapter House, West-
minster.]

X rSee Letter ccxxx. note (h).l

y [See Letter ccxxii. note (z).J

* [The date of this Letter is ascertained from the depositions which
accompany it.]

T 4

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280 LETTERS. [1539.

CCXLV. To Ceumwell.

MSS. My singular good Lord, after my most hearty com-

Hmwc*^ mendations unto your lordship; these shall be to signify
Westmin unto the same that I have received your letters with two
well's Cor*.' P^tcwts, one of them concerning the Stewardship of my
Ttsfiond' liberties, the other of the Mastership of my game, which
gmai. patents I have sealed, and sent unto your lordship by Nevell
my steward, whom nevertheless I have commanded not to
deliver, until such time as your counsel and mine have con-
cluded that I may justly deliver them : for, although as I
am bound, I am very glad and ready to do for your lord-
ship that I may do, yet to do more than I may justly do,
neither standeth with justice, nor will at length be to your
honour and benefit, nor mine neither ; for if I should grant
your patents, the state of things standing as they do at this
present, so far as yet I do know, surely as well the heirs
of the lord of Bargaveney », as the son of Sir Edward
Nevell, may hereafter not only recover of me the arrearages,
but also bring your patents in question, which I were very
loth should chance, for default of an oversight at the b^in-
ning. But by cause your counsel have informed your lord-
ship that these patents may justly pass, and I am not in-
structed as yet how it may be done, nor I have not my
counsel here at this time, therefore I beseech your lord-
ship that your counsel learned may commune with Mr.
James Halis ^ and Mr. Boys my counsel herein, that by
them I may be certified the truth and justice of these
things. And surely whatsoever justice will serve to do for
your lordship, that will I do and maintain it unto the utter-
most. And yet surely my heart is much moved with pity
towards the young lord of Bargevenny « and Sir Edward

* rSee Letters xxxi. ccxliii.]

b [Without doubt the same, who was afterwards a Justice of the
Common Pleas; whose firmness was conspicuous under Edward VI.
in his refusal to sign the settlement of the crown on Lady Jane Grey ;
and whose weakness was betrayed under Mary by his recantation and
suicide. See Burnet, Ref, vol. li. p. 458; Strype, MemoriaUy vol. iii,
p. 173 ; Foxe, Acts, &c. vol. iii. pp. 19. 96. 185. J

<^ [Henry Nevill, the young Lord Abergavenny, became an orphan
by the death of his father in 1535. He was himself not old enough to

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15S9.] LETTERS. 281

Neveirs son, the one, by cause he is within orphany, the
other, by cause he hath lost all his inheritance ^, Neverthe-
less your lordship may do more for them than this matter
is worth, if the King^s pleasure so be ; and they both have
justly forfeit their patents, as I am informed by my counsel,
for abusing the same, and so I told the Lord Bargeveney
and Edward Nevell divers times in their lives. Thus, my
lord, most heartily fare you well. At Forde, the xxi. day
of January.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord^ my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCXLVI. To Ceumwell.

My very singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I MSS.
commend me unto your lordship ; signif3nng to the same, y^JJ^
that I have sent unto you another copy of the sermon which Westmin-
doctor Cronkehome^ should preach, beseeching you, mycmmwen's
lord, to peruse the same, and to add and take away as you Corna-
shall think convenient; and that you will either enjoin him to OnginaL
do it, or else to signify unto me your mind what I shall do
therein. Thus, my lord, most heartily fare you well. At
Forde, the last day of January.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord^ my
Lord Privy Seal.

be summoned to parliament before 1552. Nicolas, Synop$i$ of the
Peerage,]

^ [This son, who lost bis inheritance by his father's attainder, event-
ually succeeded to the barony of Abergavenny, on the death of his
cousin, ** the young lord'' above-mentioned, without male issue in 1586.
Nicolas, Ibid!]

^ [Bale speaks of Dr. Cronkehome as having been engaged in an
imposture similar to that of Elizabeth Barton. *' This far passeth,'' he
says, " the calking of Dr. Cronkehorne with his secret revelations, and
" also the pretty practices of Dr. Bockynge and the holy maid of
« Kent.'* Bale, Tet a Course at the Romish Fox, fol. 34.]

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282 LETTERS. [1539.

CCXLVII. To Ceumwell.

MSS. My very singular good Lord, after my most hearty com-

Chaptcr mendations unto your lordship: and whereas upon the
Westmin- death of my loving friend, Mr. Thomas Wiate, (his son
tl^mweirs being ward unto the King's Majesty,) you obtained the
Corres- wardship of his said son, and gave the same unto Mr.
^i^n^. Wrothe, who then likewise gave the said wardship unto
Mistress Wiate his sister, and mother unto the said ward :
and now forasmuch as the said Mistress Wyate is not only
departed this miserable life, leaving the said ward in the
custody of William Morice, Edward Isaac, and Thomas
Isaac, her sons and executors, but also hath as yet left un-
obtained the King'*s Grace's grant under seal, so that with-
out the same the executors are without surety to perform
that legacy, which they are bound to do by her testament ;
these shall be to desire and pray your lordship to be so
good lord unto the said executors, as by your means they
may procure the King's grant unto you already made,
under the seal, and so your grant over again unto them
thereof; and for your lordship's pains to be taken here-
in, they shall give you a pleasure, howbeit the wardship,
as I am informed, is but 10^^' yearly, which is little enough
to find the child at his learning, and to keep the house in
reparations. Wherefore eftsoons I beseech your lordship
to show them herein your lawful favour, and that the rather,
because the said Mistress Wiate^ was not only my special
friend, but also a very good and perfect woman. Thus, my
lord, most heartily fare you well. At Canterbury, the vith
day of April.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my
very singular good lord, my Lord
Privy Seal.

^ [See Letter ccviii.]

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1589.] LETTERS.

CCXLVIII. To LoED Lisle g.

My very good Lord, after my right hearty commenda- State Paper
tions ; these shall be to signify to you, that I have received ^^^ti^l
your letters dated the 7th day of July, and also your other Papers,
letters dated the day of and therewith certdn de-

positions, the contents of the which your stud letters I have
thoroughly pondered and considered. And first as touch-
ing the said depositions, process shall be made accordingly
as justice shall require in that behalf ; and as for to get you
a discreet priest for your parish, I shall do what I can to
provide you one with expedition ; and likewise to provide
you a learned man to be my Commissary^, I will do the
best that lieth in me. Howbeit, I fear me, that I shall with
much difficulty obtain such a one, by reason that learned
men are not willing to demore continually beyond the
sea and out of the realm, without great stipend, which will
be to me no small charge over that it was. Nevertheless I
do little pass of any charge, so that I may get one that will
mind the advancement of God^s glory, the Eing^s honour,
and the quietness of your town. And as to your request,
that none should be suffered to preach nor expound the
Holy Scripture with you, but such as shall be authorized
by the King^s Majesty or by me, I shall not fail to give
such a commandment unto him that shaU be my Commissary,

s [Arthur Plantagenet, Viscount lisle, an illegitimate son of Edw.
IV, was now Lord Depaty of Calais, having been appointed to the
office in 1532. He was anerwards coraniitted to the Tower on sus-
picion of a design for betraying Calais to the French, and died there in
1542. The King, it is related, being satis6ed of his innocence, sent him
a diamond ring as a token of his favour, by Sir Thomas Wriothesley his
Secretary ; and ** Master Secretary set forth this message with such
*^ effectual words, as he was an eloquent and well spoken man, that the
'< Lord Lisle took such immoderate joy thereof, that his heart being op-
<' pressed therewith, he died the night following through too much re-
"joicing.*' Holinshed, vol. iii. p. 955.]

^ [The office was vacant by the removal of John Butler. See
Letter ccxxv. The Archbishop does not seem to have been happy in
the choice of a successor : for Robert Harvey, whose appointment bears
date the 20th of May, 1540, after a short administration signalized by a
cruel persecution of the reformers, was hanged, drawn, and quartered
for treason. Strype, Cranm, p. S7 ; Foxe, Acts, &c. vol. ii. p. 565.]

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284 LETTERS. [1639.

that he shall suffer no person to preach out of his own cure,
but such as shall have the siud authority, either fixnn the
Eing^s Grace or from me K

As coDcemiDg such persons as in Ume of divine service
do read the Bible, they do much abuse the Eing^s Grace^s
intent and meaning in his Grace^s Injunctions ^ and Procla-
mations; which permitteth the Bible to be read, not to
allure great multitudes of people together, nor thereby to
interrupt the time of prayer, meditation, and thanks to be
given unto Almighty God, which, specially in divine service,
IS and of congruence ought to be used ; but that the same
be done and read in time convenient, privately, for the con-
dition and amendment of the lives, both of the readers
and of such hearers as cannot themselves read, and not in
contempt or hinderance of any divine service or laudable
ceremony used in the church ; nor that any such reading
should be used in the church, as in a common school, ex-
pounding and interpreting Scriptures, unless it be by such
as shall have authority to preach and read ; but that all
other readers of the Bible do no otherwise read thereupon,
than the simple and plain text purporteth and lieth printed
in the book ^. And if it chance that any doubt or question

' [Lord Lisle*s request probably arose out of the furious controversies
by which Calais had lately been agitated. See Letters ccxxv. ccxxviii.
and Foxe, Acts, &c. vol. li. p. 556, &c ]

^ [It was one of Crumweirs Injunctions in the preceding September,
tliat a copy of the Bible should be placed in every parish church. See
Letter cxcii note (k).]

1 [Cranmer*s Letter is in perfect accordance with other documents of
that day, both with respect to the abuses attending the reading of the
Bible, and the remedies recommended for them. Thus it was di-
rected, in A Declaration to be read by curates to their congrega-
tions, that ^* if at any time by reading any doubt shall come to any
" of you, touching the sense and meaning of any part thereof; that
** then, not giving too much to your own minds, phantasies, and opin-
'^ ions, nor bavins thereof any open reasoning in your taverns or ale-
** houses, ye shall have recourse to such learned men, as be, or shall be
** authorized to preach and declare the same." See Appendix. And a
proclamation in May 1541, declared, that it was not the intention of
the King's Royal Majesty that any of his loving subjects " should read
** the said Bibles, with high and loud voices, in time of the celebration
*' of the holy mass, and other divine services used in the church; or that
" any his lay subjects reading the same, should presume to taJce upon
'* them any common disputation, ai^ment^ or exposition of the myst-

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15890 LETTERS. 285

do arise, or seem to the readers and hearers of the said
Bible by reason of the text, then they always, for the decla-
ration of the said doubts and questions, to resort unto such
preachers as shall be lawfully admitted to preach. Which
manner of reading and using of the Bible I pray you, my
lord, that now, in the absence of my Commissary, the same
may, by your authority, be published in your church and all
other churches within the marches of Calyce, with all con-
venient expedition. Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you
well. At Croydon, the 13th day of July. [1539.]

I pray your lordship to send unto me with expedition
other articles which you have agiunst Rauff Hare ■", or Broke,
if you have any against them, specially since the King^s
pardon, other than you have before sent hither; for the
mo matters that be against them, the more it is to their con-
demnation.

Your loving friend,
T« Cantuarien.

To the Right Honourable my
Lord hjle, the King's Deputy
at Calyoe.

CCXLIX. To Crumwbll.

My very singular good Lord, after my most hearty mss.

" eries therein contained." Burnet, Ref. vol. i. A pp. book iii. N°. 24. Home,
Boner also in bis Admonition to readers of the Bible in 1542, recom-
mended, ** that no number of people be specially congregate therefore
<< to make a multitude ; and that no exposition be made thereupon,
** otherwise than it is declared in the book itself; and that especially
** re^rd be had, that no reading thereof be used, allowed, and with
*< noise in the time of any divine service or sermon ; or that in the same
^ be used any disputation, contention, or any other misdemeanour.''
Burnet, Ref. vol. i. A pp. book iii. N®. 35. See also Cranmer's Preface
to the Bible, (vol. ii. p. 104;) and Henry VIII's celebrated speecb to
his parliament in 1545.1

°* [Ralph Hare, a pnvate soldier, and Thomas Brook, an officer in
the customs at Calais, were accused of being tainted with Damplip's
supposed heresies. See Letter ccxxv. Foxe relates *^ the troubles'' of
both, and eives a particular account of Gardyner's insidious advice to
Hare, to submit hunself to my lord of Canterbury, as ^' a good gentle
** lord, who was loth that he should be cast away.'' Foxe, Acts, &c.
vol. ii. p. 559.]

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LETTERS. [1589.

Westmin- oomiiiendations ; these shall be to rignify unto yoar lord-
C^mwcU's^^P' ^^^^ ^ ^^^ overseen the Primer which you sent
Corres- unto me, and therein I have noted and amended such faults
^g^cu. ^ "e most worthy of reformation ; divers things thore are
State besides theran, which^ if before the printing of the book
P*V^> had been committed unto me to oversee, I would have
part ii. amended ; howbeit they be not of that importance, but that
if^*^"lfor this time they may be well enough permitted and
of Cranm, suffered to be read of the people : and the book of itself, no
vol.i.p.ia9.jjjyjj^ is very good and commendable. Thus, my lord,
most heartily fare you well. At Croydon, the xxith day of
July n.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To the Right Honourable and my
singular good lord> my Lord Privy
Seal.

CCL. To Crumwell.

MSS. My very Angular good Lord, after my most hearty com-

Hoiwe, mendations; these shall be to signify unto your lordship,
Wesunin- that it chanced in time of my being at Lambeth on Sunday
well's Cor- at night last past, between ten and eleven of the clock of
rtepond- ^ijg gj^ujg night, a priest and a woman were very suspiciously
OHginal. taken at Croidon by the constable there, and by the said
constable kept in ward until my coming home, which was

" [In the State Papers, (vol. i. p. 559.) this Letter is assigned to 1537,
and the Primer mentioned is supposed to be that which was printed by
Redman in the same year. But on the 21st of July 1537, Cranmer
was at Lambeth, in fear of the plague, and praying for leave to depart.
See Lett, clxxxiv. p. 189. Probably therefore the Primer now sent for
the Archbishop's revision, was one which was printed by John Maylart
for John Waylande in 1539, with the following title : " The Primer in
'< English, most necessary for the education of children, abstracted out
** of the Manual of Prayers, or Primer in English and Latin, set forth
" by John [Hilsey] late Bishop of Rochester, at the commandment of
« the Right Hon. Lord Thomas Crumwell, Lord Privy Seal, &c.*' Or
it may have been the larger work by Hilsey, which is referred to in this
title. See accounts of both in Ames, Typogr, Antiq, ed. Dibdin,
vol. iii. p. 518.]

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1689.] LETTERS. 287

on Monday last past; since which time I have examined
both parties, as farther your lordship shall perceive by their
examinations, which I send unto you herewithal. And for-
asmuch as there is no commission out as yet for the due
correction and punishment of such offenders according to
the Act o in this behalf, I shall desire your lordship to ad-
vertise me with convenient expedition of the King^s Grace^s
pleasure, how and in what manner they shall be ordered.
And as concerning the woman, if it be true which she hath
confessed, as it seemeth to be, then she hath deserved some-
what the more favour for the plain confession of the truth.
Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you well. At Croidon,
the XXX** day of July.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.

To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCLI. To Crumwell.

My very singular good Lord, after my most hearty com- mss.
mendations ; these shall be to advertise your lordship, that Chapter
I have received your letters for the preferment of Mr.WestniiD.
Doctor Peter P unto Doctor Wottotfs^i room of the facul- ^^^Y's^^JS"-'
ties, when it shall chance by the promotion of the siud respond-
Doctor Wotton to be void. Surely, my lord, I would be^i„<,/,
as glad of Mr. Peter's preferment as of any man'^s living to
that oiBce, for such good qualities as I know in him of old ;

"* [Viz. the celebrated Act of the Six Articles, Stat. 31 Hen. VIII.
c. 14. The ^examinations which were forwarded to Crumwell sufli-
cieutly proved, that the Slst and 22nd clauses of it, against the inconti-
nence of priests, had been violated.]

P [See Letter clx.1

*i [Dr. Nicholas Wotton succeeded Boner as Master of the Arch-
bishop's Faculties on the 6th of Oct. 1558. In 1539 he was appointed
Archdeacon of Gloucester, and refused a bishopric : about which time

5robably this Letter was written. Strype, Cranm. p. 72. Chalmers,
liogr, Vict.]

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288 LETTERS. [1689.

but indeed, my lord, I have promised it unto my Commis-
sary Doctor Nevynson % who hath of me twenty marks by
year, and can spend no penny, with condition that he
should surrender it unto my hands when I had given him
a benefice : wherefore if your lordship of your goodness
will provide some benefice for my Commissary, I shall both
satisfy your lordship^s request, and deliver myself of my
promise: and this I write, by cause I have many to provide
for, and httle to provide them of. As concerning the Eing^s
Majesty, I will not strive witli his Highness; howbeit I
suppose the gift should appertmn unto me, considering Mr.
Wotton hath it but only at my pleasure. Thus, my lord,
most heartily Cure you well. At Forde, the xth day of
September.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCLII. To Ceumwell.

Jf^' My very singular good Lord, after my right hearty com-

House, mendations unto your lordship, these shall be to desire

M^tmin- y^^ ^ y^^y^ \^ y^^^ remembrance Sir Henry Corbett «, the

Cnimireirs Dutch priest, for whom I have sued divers times unto your

poDdence. lordship for some honest stipend, beseeching your lordship

OrigmnL to move the Eing^s Grace in his favour in this behalf. I

ensure you he is almost in despair of a living, for so much

as he supposeth your lordship hath utterly forgotten him,

and for so doing your lordship shall not only do a very

good deed, and dispatch yourself of an importunate suitor,

but also discharge me of such costs as I am at in keeping of

' [Probably Dr. Christopher Nevynson ; who was one of the Royal
Visitors in 1547, and a Commissioner for presiding at Peter Martyr's
Disputation on the Eucharist at Oxford in 1549. Strype, MemoriaU,
vol. ii. p. 47 ; Cranm, p. 200.]

• [See Letter ccxlii.J

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1589] LETTERS.

him. Thus, my lord, right heartily fare you well. From
Croydon, the 7th day of October.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord> my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCLIII. To Crumwell. ^

My very singular good Lord, after my most hearty com- Mss.
mendations ; these shall be to signify unto your lordship, hoiw^
that Bartelett and Edward Whitechurche hath been with Wcstmin-
me, and have by their accounts declared the expenses and Crum-
charges of the printing of the Great Bibles; and by the ad- J^^*'*^^'"'
vice of Bartelett I have appointed them to be sold forence. Ori-
ISs. 4(2. a piece, and not above. Howbeit Whitechurche^
informeth me, that your lordship thinketh it a more con- pgrs, rol'i.
venient price to have them sold at 10*. a piece, which in p*^ "•
respect of the great charges, both of the paper, which in very
. deed is substantial and good u, and other great hinderances^

' [This Letter is placed in the Stale Papers under 1538 ; on which
supposition it must relate to the Bible, which was seized in an un-
finished state by the inquisitors at Paris in December of that year, and
which, after much delay, was at length completed in London in April
1539. Thb view, it must be admitted, is far from improbable, yet
Cranmer's mention of his Preface seems to connect it with the edition
in wliich this Preface first appeared, vis. the Great Bible of 1540. And
the price named leads to tne same conclusion : for ten shillings is
the precise sum ordered to be paid by royal proclamation in 1541, for
*^ Bibles of the largest and greatest volume to be set in churches.*'
This clearly identifies the Bible of the present Letter with the Bible of
the proclamation. And the Bible of the proclamation aeain can be no
other than the Great Bible of 1540 ; for this only could be said to be
of the largest volume; and this too is expressly declared in its title page
to be " the Bible appointed to the use of churches." For these reasons
Crannier's Letter is believed to refer to the Great Bible of 1540 ; and
in consequence the date of 1539, assigned to it by Mr. Todd, has been
preferred to that which it bears in the State Papers. See State Papers,
vol. i. p. 590; Strype, Cranm. p. 83; Lewis, Hist, of Engl. Bible, pp.
121. 136; Cotton, List of Editions, pp. 6. 118; Burnet, Ref. vol. i.
A pp. B. iii. Nos. 15 ana 24 ; and particularly Todd, Life of Cranm.
vol. i. p. 228, &c.]

» [The Great Bible of 1540 fully answers this description, being

VOL. I. U

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jego LETTERS. [1539.

Whitechurche and his fellow > thinketh it a small price.
Nevertheless they are right well contented to sell them for
10^., so that you will be so good lord unto them as to grant
henceforth none other license to any other printer saving to
them^ for the printing of the said Bible Y; for else they think
that they shall be greatly hindered thereby, if any other
should print, they sustaining such charges as they already
have done. Wherefore, I shall beseech your lordship, in
consideration of their travail in this behalf, to tender their
requests ; and they have promised me to print in the end of
their Bibles the price thereof, to the intent the King'^s liege
people shall not henceforth be deceived of their price '.

Farther, if your lordship hath known the King^s High-
ness' pleasure concerning the Preface * of the Bible which I
sent to you to oversee, so that his Grace doth allow the
same, I pray you that the same may be delivered unto the
said Whitchurche unto printing, trusting that it shall both
encourage many slow readers, and also stay the rash judg-
ments of them that read therein. Thus our Lord have
your good lordship in his blessed tuition. At Lambeth, the
14th day of November.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.

To my singular good lord^ my
Lord Privy Seal.

printed on excellent paper, and being in every respect a very handsome
lM)ok.]

* [This " fellow** may perhaps have been Grafton, and Berthelet
may nave been concerned only as the King's printer. If so, the fact
mentioned in a note to the State Papers as remarkable, will be ac-
counted for, namely, that none of the editions of Cranmer*s Bible ap-
pear to have been printed by Berthelet and Whitchurch jointly. See
Lewis, Hist, of Translations^ p. 1S7.]

y [By letters patent, dated the 14th of Nov. 1539, no Bibles were to
he printed for five years without the permission of Crumwell. Rymer,
vol. xiv. p. 649; Burnet, Ref, vol. i. App. B. iii. No. 16.]

* [This promise does not appear to have been fulfilled, but the
omission was supplied by the proclamation of 1541. See p. 289. note
(t) ; and Burnet^ Ref. vol. i. App. B. iii. No. 34.]

* [See this Preface, (vol. ii. p. 104.)]

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1589] LETTERS. 291

CCLIV. ToCrumwell.

My very singular good Lord, after my most hearty com-^*^*^
mendations ; these shall be to advertise your lordship^ that I Cleop.E.iv.
have received your letters dated the xxvii. day of November ; %r^^,
and therewith a bill concerning the device ^ for the new es-

^ [The following is the design on which Cranmer comments : it io
preserved in the same manuscript. Hen. VIII. was probably proud
of it; for Sadler, his ambassador m Scotland, was directed to lay it be-
fore James V, as an example of the useful purposes to which the re-
venues of religious houses might be applied. See Sadler's State Papers,

** ChruVs Church in Canterbury, £. s. d,

" First, A provost 150 0 0

" Item, Twelve prebendaries, every of them at 40/. by the

" year, sum 480 0 0

" Item, Six preachers, every of them 20/. a year 120 0 0

" Item, A reader of humanity, in Greek, by year 30 0 0

** Item, A reader in divinity m Hebrew, by )rear 30 0 0

'' Item; A reader both in divinity and humanity, in Latin, by

" the year 40 0 0

" Item, A reader of civil 20 0 0

<' Item, A reader of physic 20 0 0

" Item, Twenty students in divinity, to be found ten at Oi-

" ford, and ten at Cambridge, every of them 10/. by the

" year 200 0 0

*^ Item, Sixty scholars to be taught both grammar and logic

^* in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, every of them five marks

** by the year
" Item, A school-master 20/. and an usher 10/. by the year
" Item, Eight petty canons to sing in the choir, every of

" them 10/. by the year
*' Item, Twelve laymen to sing also, and serve in the choir,

*' evenr of them 6/. 135. 4d. by the year
" Item, Ten choristers, every of them five marks by tlie year
" Item, A master of the childem
'< Item, A gospeler
** Item, An epistler
'< Item, Two sacristans
'< Item, One chief butler, his wages and diets
« Item, One under butler, his wages and diets
<< Item, A cater to buy their diets, for his wages, diets, and

<' making of his books
^ Item, One chief cook, his wages and diets
'* Item, One under cook, his wages and diets
" Item, Two porters
*' Item, Twelve poor men, being old and serving men, de-

" cayed by the wars, or in the King's service, every of

" them at 6/. 13*. Ad, by the year
<< Item^ To be distributed yearly in alms
" Item, For yearly reparations

U 2 " Item,

200

0 0

2 4

0 0

13 4

6 8

13 4

6 8

13 4

6 8

0 0

100

0 0

100

0 0

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29« LETTERS. [1689.

Barn. Ref, tablishment to be made in the metropolitan church of Can-
A°^ "b ri ^^^bury ; by which your lordship requireth mine advice
No. 65. thereupon by writing, for our mutual consents.

Surely, my lord, as touching the book drawn and the
order of the same, I think that it will be a very substantial
and godly foundation ; nevertheless in my opinion the pre-
bendaries which be allowed 40Z. a piece yearly, might be
altered to a more expedient use. And this is my consi-
deration ; for having experience both in times past and also
in our days, how the sidd sect of prebendaries have not only
spent their time in much idleness, and their substance in su-
perfluous belly cheer, I think it not to be a convenient
state or degree to be midntiuned and established. Con-
sidering first, that commonly a prebendary is neither a
learner, nor teacher, but a good viander. Then by the
same name they look to be chief, and to bear all the whole
rule and preeminence in the college where they be resident :
by means whereof the younger, of their own nature given
more to pleasure, good cheer, and pastime, than to absti-
nence, study, and learning, shall easily be brought from
their books to follow the appetite and example of the said
prebendaries, being their heads and rulers. And the state
of prebendaries hath been so excessively abused, that when
learned men hath been admitted unto such room, many
times they have desisted from their good and godly studies,
and all other Christian exercise of preaching and teaching.
Wherefore, if it may so stand with the Eing^s gracious
pleasure, I would wish that not only the name of a pre-
bendary were exiled his Grace's foundations, but also the
superfluous conditions of such persons. I cannot deny but
that the beginning of prebendaries was no less purppsed for
the maintenance of good learning and good conversation of
living, than religious men were : but forasmuch as both lie

<< Item, Six to be employed yearly, for making and emending £. t. d,
" of highways 40 0 0

** Item, A steward of the lands 6 13 4

^< Item, An auditor 10 0 0

" Item, For the provost's expenses in receiving the rents and

" surveying the lands, by the year C 13 4"]

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1639.] LETTERS. 898

gone from their first estate and order, and the one is found
like offender with the other, it maketh no great matter if
they perish both together : for to say the truth, it is an
estate which St. Paul, reckoning up the d^rees and estates
allowed in his time, could not find in the Church of Christ.
And I assure you, my lord, that I think it will better stand
with the maintenance of Christian religion, that in the stead of
the siud prebendaries, were twenty divines at 10/. a piece, like
as it is appointed to be at Oxford and Cambridge; and
forty students in the tongues and sciences and French, to have
10 marks a piece ; for if such a number be not there resident,
to what intent should so many readers be there ? And surely
it were great pity that so many good lectures should be there
read in vain: for as for your prebendaries, they cannot attend
to apply lectures, for making of good cheer. And as for
your sixty children in grammar, their master and their usher
be daily otherwise occupied in the rudiments of grammar,
than that they may have space and ume to hear the lectures.
So that to these good lectures is prepared no convenient au-
ditory. And therefore, my lord, I pray you let it be con-
sidered, what a great loss it will be to have so many good
lectures read without profit to any, saving to the six preach-
ers. Farther, as concerning the reader of divinity and hu-
manity, it will not agree well that one man should be a
reader of both lectures. For he that studieth in divinity,
must leave the reading of profane authors, and shall have
as much to do as he can, to prepare his lecture to be sub-
stantially read. And in like manner, he that readeth in hu-
manity, had not need to alter his study, if he should make
an erudite lecture. And therefore in mine opinion it would
be two offices for two sundry learned men.

Now concerning the Dean and other to be elected into the
College, I shall make a bill of all them that I can hear of in
Cambridge, Oxford, or elsewhere, meet to be put into the
said College, after my judgment : and then of the whole
number the King'^s Highness may choose the most excel-
lent; assuring you, my lord, that I know no man more

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294 LETTERS. [16S9.

meet for the Dean's room in England than Doctor Crome ^,
who by his sincere learning, godly conversation, and good
example of living, with his great soberness, hath done unto
the King's Majesty as good service, I dare say, as any pri^t
in England. And yet his Grace daily remembereth all other
that doth him service, this man only except, who never had
yet, besides his gracious favour, any promotion at his High-
ness' hands. Wherefore, if it would please his Majesty to
put him in the Dean's room, I do not doubt but that he
should show light to all the deans and masters of collies in
this realm. For I know that when he was but president of
a college in Cambridge, his house was better ordered than
all the houses in Cambridge besides.

And thus, my lord, you have my final advice concerning
the premises, which I refer unto the King's Grace's judg-
ment, to be allowed or disallowed at his Highness' pleasure :
sending unto your lordship herewithal the bill agiun, accord-
ing to your request. Thus, my lord, most heartily fare you
well^ At Croydon, the xxix. day of November. [1589.]

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.

' rCrannier's recommendation was not followed. Dr. Nicholas Wot-
ton having been appointed the first Dean of Canterbury by the charter
of incorporation. Le Neve, Fasti. For a memoir of Crome^ see Strype,
MemoriaU, vol. iii. p. 102. See also Burnet, Rrf, vol. iii. p. 287. He was
the author of the ingenious argument against private masses, '* that if
*' trentals and chauntry masses could avail the souls in purgatory, then
*' did the parliament nut well in giving away monasteries, colleges, and
** chauntnes, which served principally to that purpose. But if the par-
** liament did well (as no man could deny) in dissolving them, and bestow-
** ing the same upon the King, then is it a plain case, that such chaun-
" tries and private masses do nothinz to relieve them in purgatory. This
** dilemma no doubt was insoluble. But notwitlistanding, the charitable
*' prelates so handled him, that they made him recant. And if he had
^ not, they would have dissolved him and his argument in burning fire.''
Foxe, vol. ii. p. 572. See some valuable letters respecting this prose-
cution, in which Latymer also was implicated, in the State Papers^
vol. i. part ii. Letter ccxliii. &c.]

^ [The following narrative from one of Foie's manuscripts throws
some farther light on Cranmer's views respecting this new foundation at
Cnnterbury. The substance of it is printed by Strype, Cranmer, p. 89.

<* At what time the Cathedral Cnurch ot Canterbury [was] newly
'* erected, altered, and changed, from monks to secular men of the dergy.

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1639] LETTERS. 296

CCLV. To Crumwell.

My singular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I com- mss.
mend me to your lordship; and whereas I am informed ^^■P^''

** in the time of King Henry the VIII^ as to prebendaries, canons, petty
<< canons, choristers, and scholars, there were present at that erection
'< Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Riche, Chan-
** cellor of the Court of the Augmentation of the revenues of the Crown,
'* Sir Christopher Hallis, knight, the King's attorney. Sir Anthony
** Sencteleger, knight, with divers other Commissioners. And taking
** upon them to nominate and elect such convenient and apt persons,
*' as should serve for the furniture of the said Cathedral Church, ac-
*^ cording to the new foundation, it came to pass, that when they
** should elect the children of the grammar school, there were of the
<< Commissioners mo than one or two, which would have none ad-
<< mitted but younger brethren and gentlemen's sons. As for other
** husbandmen's children, they were more meet, (they snid,) for the
« plough and to be artificers, than to occupy the place of the learned
** sort ; so that they wished none else to be put to school but only
** gentlemen's children.

*' W hereunto that most reverend father, Thomas Cranmer, Arch-
^* bishop of Canterbury, being of u contrary mind, said, that he thought
** it not indifferent so to order the matter. For (said he) poor men's
<< children are many times endued with more singular gifls of nature,
^ which are also the gifb of God, as with eloquence, memory, apt
*' pronunciation, sobriety, with such like, and also commonly ntore given
** to apply their study, than is the gentleman's son delicately educated.

'< Whereunto it was on the other part replied, that it was meet for the
*' ploughman's son to go to plough, and the artificer's sou to apply the
'' trade of his parent's vocation, and the gentlemen's children are meet
*^ to have the knowledge of government and rule in the common wealth.
'< For we have as much need of plough even as of any other state, and
*' all sorts of men may not go to school.

*' I grant (quoth the Archbishop) much of your meaning here-
'* in, as needful in a common wealth ; but yet utterly to exclude tlie
« ploughman's son and the poor man's son from the benefit of learn-
'' nig, as though they were unworthy to have the gifls of the Holy Ghost
'< bestowed upon them, as well as upon others, is as much to say, as that
'' Almighty God should not be at liberty to bestow his great gifb of
<' grace upon any person, nor no where else but as we and oUier men
*' shall appoint them to be employed, according to our fancy, and not
** according to liis most godly will and pleasure : who giveth his gifts,
** both of learning and other perfections in all sciences, unto all kinds
'< and states of people indifferently. Even so doth He many times
'< withdraw from them and their posterity again those beneficial gifts,
*' if they be not thankful. If we should shut up into a strait comer the
** bountiful grace of the Holy Ghost, and thereupon attempt to build our
** fancies, we should make as perfect a work thereof, as those that took
<< upon them to build the tower of Babelon. For God would so provide,
<< that the offspring of other best born children should peradventure be-
^* come most unapt to learn and very dull, as I myself have seen no small
<< number of them very dull and without all manner of capacity. And,

u 4

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296

LETTERS.

[1589.

Westmin- that this bearer Edward Askew, my servant, son unto Sir
c^mwciri William Askewe, knight, is by some nobleman preferred

COITCS-

poodeuce.
Original.

unto the room of one of these new spears^ in the Court,
which, because it is done both without my knowledge and
his, I shall beseech you, my lord, inasmuch as I have no
friend to sue unto for me and mine, but only unto your lord-
ship, that you will, at this my request, bear unto him your
lawful favour and furtherance in the same ; assuring your
lordship that he, the young man, is of a very gentil nature,
right forward, and of good activity, so that I think he shall
be meet to furnish such a room, and to do unto the Eing^s
Majesty diligent and faithful service. Thus, my lord, right
heartily fare you well. At Forde, the S88th day of Decem-
ber. [1689.]

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal,

CCLVI. To Crumwell.
My very singular good Lord, after my most hearty com-

** to say the truth, I take it that none of ns all here, being gentlemen
** bom, as I think, but had our beginnine that way from a low and base
" parentage : and through the benefit of learning and other civil know-
« ledge, for the most part, all gentles ascend to their estate.

" Then it was again answered, that the most part of the nobility
'< came up by feat of arms and martial acts.

<' As though (quoth the Archbishop) that the noble captain was always
<< unfurnish^ of |ood learning and knowledge, to persuade and dissuade
<< his army rhetorically, which rather that way is broueht unto authority

** than else his manly looks. To conclude, the poor man's son

« by pains taking ... for the most part will be learned, when the gen-
<^ tleman*s son will not take the pains to get it. And we are taught by
** the Scriptures, that Almighty Uod raiseth up from the dunghill and
*' setteth him in high authority ; and when so it pleaseth Him, of his di-
** vine providence, deposeth princes unto a right humble and poor es-
'' tate. Wherefore if the gentleman's son be apt to learning, let him be
** admitted ; if not apt, let the poor man's child apt enter his room.
** With such like words in effect." Hari. MSS. 419. fbl. 115.]

^ [<' In December [1539] were appointed to wait on the King's High-
** ness' person, fifty gentlemen called pensioners or spears, like as they
" were in the first year of the King." Hall, p. 832.]

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1589.] LETTERS. 897

mendatioDs; these shall be to advertise your lordship, thatMSS.
I have received by my servant Eaton, fifty sovereigns from ^"^"^
you, which shall be delivered tomorrow, and presented unto Westmin.
my Lady Annys 8 Grace, according to your lordship's adver-^J^g ^™/
tisement in your letters : and if I may compass and brinir it r««po»<^-
to pass, the town of Canterbury shall put thereunto nny ginaL
angels, to be altogether presented in one cup. And whereas Todd, Ufe
this bearer Mr. Pheneux, your servant, by his demorehere^^^^j".
in ^ving attendance upon me whiles my said Lady Annys p- 286.
Grace was received at Canterbury, hath longer absented
himself from you than he thought to have done, I trust
your lordship will accept the same in the best part, assuring
you, my lord, that in case he and other gentlemen of the
country, with mine own retinue, had not the better assisted
me, over and besides the number appointed, I should have
received her Grace but with a slender company. For the
whole number appointed to me, besides mine own com-
pany, was not six score, and yet some of them failed ; so
that if, partly by mine own company, and partly by other
gentlemen'^s assistance, it had not been supplied, I should
not have received her with a convenient number. Thus,
my lord, most heartily fare you well. At Canterbury, the
xxixth day of December.

Your own ever assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord^ my
Lord Privy Seal.

s [Anne of Cleves. Her reception at Canterbury is thus described by
Hall, who details with great minuteness the whole of her progress from
Calais to Greenwich. << On Monday, for all the storm that then was, she
<< marched toward Canterbury, and on Baram down met her the Arch-
<' bishop of Canterbury, accompanied with the Bishop of £ly, St. Asse,
" St. Davies, and Dover, and a great company of gentlemen well ap-
•* parelled, and so brought her to St. Austen's without Canterbuiy,
" where she lay that night." Hall, p. 833. Tliis Letter was written on
the same Monday, the 29th of December 1539, after her arrival ; and the
cup with the sovereigns was doubtless to be presented at her departure
on tlie following morning.]

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298 LETTERS. [1S40.

CCLVII. To Ceumwell.

MSS. My very fdngular good Lord, in my most hearty wise I

h!^m^ commend me unto your lordship ; always thanking you for
Westmin- your benevolence towards me and my poor servant, for
CramwelPs ^^ich I am not able to recompense as my mind is ; signify-
Corrcs- ing to your lordship, that you shall receive of my servant
^H^^l Nevell this bearer 90L for your half year's fee ^ now due.
And whereas my said servant Nevell informeth me, that
Mr. Chancellor of the Augmentation told him, that the
Eing^s Majesty Was content that he should have some re-
compense for his farm of the parsonage of Bowghton > ;
these shall be to desire you, my lord, to bear him your
lawful favour for his furtherance unto such recompense : for
the which you shall bind him to be at your lordship^s com-
mandment during his life. Thus, my lord, right heartily
fare you well. At Ford, the xx. day of January.

Your own assured ever,

T. Cantuarien.
To my very singular good lord, my
Lord Privy Seal.

CCLVIII. To King Heney VIII >^.

Lonl Her- I heard yesterday in your Grace's Council,

^c/Hmfy ^^^^ ^® [Crumwell] is a traitor, yet who cannot be sorrowful
yjil. p. and amazed that he should be a traitor against your Ma-
jesty, he that was so advanced by your Majesty ; he whose
surety was only by your Majesty ; he who loved your Ma-
jesty, as I ever thought, no less than God ; he who studied

^ [^Crumwell was Steward of the Archbishop's liberties, and Master
of his game, and hence probably was entitled to the fee here mentioned.
See Letters ccxliii. ccxlv.]

' [See Letter ccxxvi. p. 254.1

k [It is much to be regretted that this Letter has not been found entire.
The fragment here printed, which is justly characterized by Sir James
Mackintosli as being very earnest and persuasive, has been preserved
by Lord Herbert. Crumwell was beheaaed about six weeks afterwards,
on the S8th of July 1540.]

5i9

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1540.] LETTERS. 299

"always to set forwards whatsoever was your Majesty'^s will
and pleasure; he that cared for no man^s displeasure to
serve your Majesty ; he that was such a servant in my judg.
ment, in wisdom, diligence, faithfulness, and experience, as
no prince in this realm ever had ; he that was so vigilant to
preserve your Majesty from all treasons, that few could be
so secretly conceived, but he detected the same in the be-
^nning ? If the noble princes of memory. King John,
Henr}' the Second, and Richard II. had had such a coun-
sellor about them, I suppose that they should never have
been so traitorously abandoned, and overthrown as those

good princes were : I loved him as my friend,

for so I took him to be ; but I chiefly loved him for the love
which I thought I saw him bear ever towards your Grace^
singularly above all other. But now, if he be a traitor, I am
sorry that ever I loved him or trusted him, and I am very
glad that his treason is discovered in time ; but yet again I
am very sorrowful ; for who shall your Grace trust here-
after, if you might not trust him ? Alas ! I bewail and la-
ment your Grace^s chance herein, I wot not whom your
Grace may trust. But I pray God continually night and
day, to send such a counsellor in his place whom your Grace
may trusty and who for all his qualities can and will serve
your Grace like to him, and that will have so much solicitude
and care to preserve your Grace from all dangers as I ever
thought he had [14 June 1640.]

CCLIX. To Weiothesley I.

Master Wrythiosley, after my right hearty recommenda- state
tions ; these be to signify unto you, that I have received out 5^, e^-
of the realm of Pole, letters from Dantiscus, Bishop of dcs. ^.
Vermien., who was many years the King of Pole his am-^^„^
bassador unto the Emperor, and was with the Emperor the

1 [Afterwards Lord Chancellor, Earl of Southampton, and the leader
of the Roman Catholic party. See Strype, Memorials, vol. iii. p. 282 ;
Burnet, Re/*, vol. ii. p. 31.

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300 LETTERS. [1540.

j^^ same time that I was the King our master his ambassador ^ ;
Introduc- in whom I found at that time great humanity and tsaih-
Cranmer*s fuIness ; and^ as I could perceive, as ready an heart he had
Defence, ^q serve the King's Majesty our master, as if he had been
his own subject ; and as lovingly he entreated me, as if he
had been my own brother, notwithstanding that we were of
two contrary judgments ; for he was a mere papist. Never-
theless he would hear me diligently and patiently to say
all my mind concerning the bishop of Rome, and seemed
many times to condescend unto my judgment, and to allow
the same. Howbeil, after he came home into his own
country, and had two bishoprics given unto him, Jardanus
conversus est retrorsum : for he returned again wholly ad
papismum. And now they say that he is the greatest per-
secutor of God'*s word that is in all the land of Pole ; and
you may perceive by his letter, (which herewith you shall
receive,) how much he is offended with me, for that, accord-
ing to God's word, I wrote myself in the subscription of my
letter, ecclesice Cantuarien, ministrum.

Now since I received this letter, I have been much in-
quieted therewith, considering what heinous rumours by
mischievous tongues be spread into so far countries of the
King's Majesty, which would make any true and loving
subject's heart to bleed in his body to hear or read of his
prince. And by cause you should the better perceive the
same, I have sent you Dantiscus' own letter ", interlined in

*» [See Letters ii, in.]

" [This Letter is still in the State Paper Office, and being on many
accounts extremely interesting, is subjoined, as far as it can be de-
cyphered ; for in several parts it is much injured by damp. The
passages underlined by Cranraer are here distinguished by Italics.

'^ Dantiscus to Cranmer.

'< Rumorem de morte mea ad te, mi humanissime Cnunere, perla-
** tum, eo auctum scribis, quod a me intra triennium nullas acceperis.
" Hoc (juidem non incurantia, aut mutuse nostras amicitis obliTione
'' contigit, verum ob similem de te rumorem, qui apud nos percrebuit,
<< quern certe, amantissimus utpote tui, dolenter accepi, Te inquaniy
**jussu Regis tut, cum multis aliis bonis viris, prater omnem aquUatem
'^Juisse e vivis suhlatum. Quo in time permotus, non secus atque tu
" meis, ita et ego tuis Manibus aetemam non semel beatitudinem sum
<' precatus. Qua de re, quum ejusmodi rumor, Deo gratia, utrique

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1640.] LETTERS. 301

places most notable concerning that matter; desiring you
to declare the same to the Eing^s Highness at convenient

'< falsus evanuitygaudendum nobis, et ad pristinum benevolentiae officiuin

SaiamoMdrm fatum (o)
<< et aniroo et scripto redeundum est. Tu tamen^ ne te wv^i^rw /m^
<< occupet, quum ea tint apud vos tempora^ qua in nulla prius orbit Chrtt-
** tiant regtonejuerunt unquam, caveat ; plura adderem, nisi vererer has
** fraudi tibi futuras, si in alterius quam in tuas manus inciderent.

'' Quid apud vos agatur, gratius mihi fuisset scire a te, quam de iis
*' qui multa incerta pro certis nobis denunciant. Tot scilicet bonorum

'^ Ecciesias di[reptiones] qua modum et numerum

** non habetit in utrumque promitcue texum tuppliciay quodque magis hie
** omnet in admirationem ac detettationem inducit, tot conjugia, totque
** contra omnet turn humanat, turn etiam divinat le^et repudia, qua
** tamenf quamvit pattim hie in vulgut tparta, pro vent habentur, apud
*^ me adhuc tunt ambigua. Non nihil ad credendum me compeliit,
*' quod tu, quum sis et Archiepiscopus et regni vestri Primas, Minis-
'* trum Ecclesiae tuae, longe alio auam prius nomine, te subscribis.
*^ Ministri quidem sumus omnes Ecclesiarum, qui sumus Episcopi ; hoc
*' tamen titulo quo Paulus usus est, abuti non deberemus. Is etenim
** qui speculatur, non est sine ministerio, sua tamen ob id vocatione
^' non privatur. Nos porro hie sub Christianissimo pientissimoque
** Rege P degentes, Phavorini apud GelJium precepto, utimnr verbis
^' prssentibus, et moribus vivimus antiquis^, in quibus et vos olim non
*' mfelices inter alios mortales fuistis; adeo etiam quemadmodum
<< recent notti, quod de irttigni ad te conjugio tcripterim, hoc ti ad eum
<< modum, ut cum Juliacente tuccettittet, in quat me turbat non con-
**jecittem. Eat a me Deut per tuam mitericordiam avertit. Quern vera
** apud vot exitum, hoc turbulentisnmum cum tot commutatit Helenit
*' malum, et hac tanta et tarn impia diritat aliquando habebit, nemo
** tana mentit non videt, quantumvit lento divina ira gradu procedat,
*' Quam ut ab hac vestra pnedivite insula, quae mihi ob multam huma-
*^ nitatem in ea perceptam charissima est,et a vobis omnibus mihi charis-
** simis, diutissime Dominus Deus contineat, immo nunquam exerceat,
<< impense oro ; tantum ahest ut quicquam adversi imprecer. Ceterum

** quod honorificis illis relictis titulis usu receptis adeo me

" roagnas eratias habeo, quod

« puerum, quem Ratisbonae ad Danubium in Aula Caesaris quondam
** famulatui tuo addixeram, adeo liberaliter educari commiseris ; hunc
'< revera, quum tuis me verbis et literis salutaret, a facie non minus
'< quam alium quempiam exoticuma me nunquam prius visum, noveram;
** fuitque eo mihi gratior, quod tua opera et adminiculo in adolescentem,
" moribus et literis non iucultum, excreverit; qui si institutum quod
'< coepit, prosequi non intermiserit, quod ad reliquum vitae tempus perti-
** nebit, nicile assequetur. Tibi vcro iterum atque iterum giatias ago,

<» [It would seem from this insertioD, which is in Cranmer's bandwritiog,
that be did not calculate on the Greek words being understood, either by
Henry VIII, or his secretary.]

p [Sigismuod I ; a monarch " modest, bmnble, bumaney eDligbtcned, io-
" defatigable, the fiither of his people." A victory gained by him over the
Waywode of Moldavia in August 153 1, is recorded by Dantiscus in a letter
printed in Scbardii Otrman, Antiq, p. 1275.]

4 [Gellius, Noctet jiitictr, lib. i. cap. 10.]

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302 LETTERS. [1540.

opportunity, and to know his pleasure, whether I shall make
any answer unto the said Dantiscus, and what answer I
shall make : for the matter is of such importance, that I
dare not presume to make a slender answer upon mine
own head. Nevertheless, I think it not good to open this
matter unto the King'^s Grace, until he be well recovered of
his disease, (which I pray God shortly to put away,) lest
peradventure it might trouble and move his Grace, and
rather be occasion of k>nger continuance of the s^d disease.
And if that had not been, I would have come to the Court

*^ quod ilium, ad meam commendationera et nostrs inter nos amicitis
*' rationeniy tarn benigne et largiter tuo impendio in literarum studiis
<< exercitum foveris, hucque ad me non sine viutico remiseris. Hinc
" clare liquet AthenKum non recte sensisse, amicos non esse qui procul
<' degunty quum tu, ab orbe nostra divisus, in hoc juvene, cujus pa-
<* rentes [non] nisi fama agnovi[sti], mihi fueris officiosissimus ; proinde
<< ubi vicissim gratum tibi facere, tibique aut tuis ex usu et re esse
'< possum, propensissimam meam offero operam. Qua in evends peri-
*' culosi hujus temporis, praque fortunarum et facultatum mearum satis
" lautRy Deo gratia, conditione, libere atque tuto utere, tibique per-
** suade, me tui esse assiduissime memorem. Itaque, si me araas, quod
" certo existimo, copiose de tuo ac rerum vestrarum statu rescribe.
" Idipsum per mercatores, gentiles meos,qui Londini agunt, commode,
" quandocunque libuerit, facies, mihiquemirum in modum gratificaberis.
'< Dat. ex arce nostra Ueilsberg prima Septembris 1640.

''.... ''item ad se vitee roeae cursum, (de quo sspe inter nos,
" quaudo una essemus, coUocutio incidit,) atque institutum, praelis, me
** invito etiamnum et inscio, excussum mitterem. In eo vivum tibi tui
'' Dantisci simulachrum seu iconisraa depinxi. Hocque ob id, ut et tu
'< mihi quam ducas vitam, et si comparem, quemadmodum Paulo
** tribuitur, duxeris, significationem facias. A pud nos coelibatu ec
<< libera lectulo nihil est jucuudius ac dulcius. Jocari libuit. Haec enim
<* scribens, visus sum mihi tecum vel in symposio, ut solebamus, vel
^* in nave Danubiana, ad quam me comiter ex Ratisbona superioribus
** annis comitasti abeuntem, confabulari. Quod pro jure veteris internos
^< comparatae necessitudinis nedum familiaritatis, boni te puto consuUu-
'< rum. Tuus ille, inquam, totus

** Tuus Joannes Dantiscus Episcopus
** Vermien : manu mea script.

" R""®. in Christo Patri Domino Thomae
" Cranmero Archiepiscopo Cantua-
" rien. et regni Angliae Primati, fratri
" charissimo et bonorando.'' '

' [This postscript is wholly in the haodwriting of Dantiscus. The com-
roencement of it is much mutilated by damp.]

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1640.] LETTERS. 303

this day myself, but I thought it very evil that any person
or matter should at this present disquiet his Grace. Where-
fore I refer unto your wisdom, to break this matter unto his
Grace at such time as you shall think most expedient.
From Lamhith, this Saint Mathies day. [21 Sept. 1640.]

Your assured,

T. Cantuarien.
To my loving friend Sir Thomas
Wrythialey, Secretary unto the
King's Majesty.

CCLX. To OSIANDER.

DocHssimo D. Andrece Osiandro, Concionatori Noren-
burgensi.

Salve plurimum. Vix tribus abhinc diebus elapsis, Cott. Mss.
Osiander dilectissime, literas ad te scriptitabam, quas per E.^,''foi7*
subitum et festinatum tabellarii discessum coactus summ*
abbreviare, imo abrumpere plane, prsetermisso eo, quodcroiSw
et tunc quam maxime scriptum volui, et nunc otii plus- App. No.
culum nactus, nesdo quam nervose, verbose certe de-^^'
crevi pertractare. Res est, ut mihi quidem videtur, nou
parva, neque leniter animadvertenda, ut quae ad omnium
evangelicam veritatem profitentium sugillationem, ne dicam
ignominiam et culpam manifeste pertineat. Proinde te
rogo, ut et scriptum hoc meum legas attente, et tuum vicis-
sim responsum super eo couficias accurate, matureque re-
mittas, quo habeam tandem quod respondeam iis qui me
interrpgant. Nosti enim, opinor, ut soleant homines hie,
omnium quae istic geruntur, a me rationem exigere : alii
quidem bono animo, et communis evangelicae causae studio
soliciti, nequid a vobis fieret, secus quam oporteret : aliis
autem mat us est animus, mala mens. Nihil ma^s cupiunt,
aut captant, quam ut justam aliquam vos et vestra facta
dictave reprehendendi ansam undecunque apprehendant :
et gaudent si mihi in os subinde talia possint objicere.
Quibus duobus inter se diversis hominum ^neribus re^

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304 LETTERS. ^1540.

spondeo ego perssepe, quae vel ipse oomminisci possuiD,
vel quae ex scriptis vestris, sive in publicum emis^s^ sive ad
me privatim missis, possim colligere. Incidunt tamen per-
saepe nonnulla, quae nee negare possum, nee absque rubore
fateri, quae denique quo pacto a vobis honeste aut pie fieri
doceantur, rationem ullam saltern excogitare sufl^entem
nequeo. Nam ut interim de usuris taceam, a vobis aut
vestrum certe nonnullis, ut apparet, approbatis, deque eo,
quod magnatum filiis concubinas habendas permittitis, <
(videlicet ne per nuptias legitimas haereditates dispergantur) ;
qui concubinatum in sacerdotibus tantopere aversati estis :
quid poterit a vobis in excusationem allegari pro eo, quod
permittitis, a divortio, utroque conjuge vivo^ novas nuptias
coire, et quod adhuc deterius est, eUam absque divortio uni
plures permittitis uxores. Id quod et tute, si recte memini,
in quibusdam tuis ad me literis apud vos factum diserte
expressisti, addens ^ Philippum ipsum sponsalibus posteri-
oribus, ut paranymphum credo atque ausjncem, inter-
fuisse.

Quae ambo, tum ipsius conjugii rationi, quae non duo^
sed unam carnem facit, tum etiam Scripturis sunt expresse
et manifeste contraria. Ut patet Matth. xix. Mark x. Luke
xvi. Rom. vii. 1 Cor. vii. Quibus locis perspicuum fit, ex
apostolorum, atque adeo Christi ipsius, institutione, unum
uni debere matrimonio conjungi, nee posse ac conjunctos
postea, nisi interveniente morte alterutrius, denuo contra-
here. Quod si responderitis, hoc intelligi excepta causa
fomicationis ; an uxoris adulterium fuerit causa cur Philip-
pus marito permiserit aliam superducere, vos melius nostis.

' [Philip Melancthon ; who with Bucer was present at the private
marriage of Philip, Landgrave of Hesse, to Margaret de Sala, on the
3rd of March 1540, the Landgravine being still alive. See Seckendorf,
Comment, de Luth, Lib. iii. §. lxxix. Add. 3. who labours to defend the
transaction against the attacks of Bossuet and others. Some letters on
the subject will also be found in FuessUn, Epist. Reformat, It is remark-
able, that nearly at the same time that Cranmer was complaining to
Osiander of irregular marriages in Germany^ Dantiscus reproached
Cranmer with similar abuses in England. There was too much truth
in both charges. The difference was, that the German prince bad two
wives at once, the English, either by tlie Elcclesiastical Court or the
scaffold, disposed of one, before he married another.]

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1640.] LETTERS. 805

Quod si fuerit, tunc objiciemus, ab ineunte hucusque Ec-
clesia, (cuju8 exemplis oportet Scripturarum interpretationes
confbrmari confirmarique) nunquam, quod scimus, hoc sic
fuisse acceptum. Augustinus, quid ipse de hoc senserit,
imo quid Ecclesia ante ipsum et usque ad ipsum, dare
docet. Lib. De adttlterinis conjugiis^ Ad PoOenHum. Quid
igitur ad hsec dicetis^ libenter vellem audire abs te quidem,
si et ipse in eadem cum cseteris es sententia : sin minus,
per te saltern vellem cognoscere, quid ab illis exploraveris ad
talia responsum iri. Nam quum eorum nonnuUi, ut audio,
statuta nostra parlamentaria censorie nimis ac superciliose
condemnent, quorum tamen gravissimas justissimasque
causas ac rationes ignorant, minim est quod interim ipsi
non advertant apud ipsos plurima designari, quae optimis
atque gravissimb viris jure optimo displiceant. Scire atque
aveo, an ista tanquaro honesta, et promiscue quibusvis licita,
ac evangelicae veritati non repugnanda defendant: an se-
cundum indulgentiam (ut dixit Apostolus) ad ea, dum a
quibusdam fiunt, connivent, nequid gravius contingat, non
idem omnibus itidemque permissuri. lUud prius baud
equidem credo illos esse facturos, nisi legis M ahometanae
potius quam Christianas assertores videri voluerint. Pos-
terius hoc si faciunt, videant quomodo permittant, quae Chris-
tus, Apostoli, Evangelistae, atque adeo totius Ecclesiae con-
sensus districte ab initio hue usque prohibuit.

Quod u forte dixerint, ea jam quoque tolerari posse, eo
quod ante Christum natum fuerunt vel approbata vel toU
erata; tunc enimvero causam nobis reddant, cur non et
caetera toleremus, quaecunque tunc legimus pari jure usitata;
aut definiant quaenam hujus generis, ac quatenus erunt ad-
mittenda. Nam in Veteri Testamento expressum habemus,
olim patrem concubuisse cum filiabus, ut Loth ; socerum
cum nuru, ut Judam ; patrem familias, nempe Abraham,
cum ancilla pellice, conscia uxore atque etiam id ultro
suadente, nempe Sara ; eundem ipsum uxorem suam, adhuc
juvenculam ac formosam, sororem nominasse, eamque re-
gibus, Pharaoni et Abimelech, ultro in concubitum per-
misisse: praeterea, unum saepe hominem plures habuisse

VOL. !• X

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806 LETTERS. [1640.

uxores, ut Jacob et Mosen ipsum, legis latorem a Deo con-
stitutum : postremo, principes multos, eosque nee illauda-
tos, prseter uxorum numerosa contubernia, concubinarum
etiam greges aluisse : ut Davidem, Solomonem, etc. Nee
Assuero vitio datur, quod angulis psne noctibus concubi-
nam novam asciverit. Et Hester foemina laudatissima, ut^
pote quam ad salutem populi sui Deus excitavit, quum esset
Judfiea et legi Mosaics obnoxia, Assueri regis cubiculum
ante nuptias intravit. Quid pluribus opus, quum gravissimi
auctores Ambro^us et Augustinus disertis verbis affirment,
hie polygamiam, ille concubinatum, peccato turn caruisse,
quando nee contra morem, nee contra prseceptum fierent ;
quae nunc et le^bus et moribus pronuntiant esse contraria.
Talia, inquam, constat apud veteres fuisse usitata, nee a
bonis quidem viris tune temporis improbata. Quae vel
omnia probabunt novi isti homines et rerum novarum intro-
ductores, vel aliqua, vel nulla. Quod si nulla dicant nobis,
cur ista admiseruntP Si aliqua, cur non et reliquaP Et
praescribant nobis regulam, qua seiamus, quae sunt admit-
tenda, quae vero rejicienda. Si omnia, (in qua sententia
videtur esse Bucerus) quaeso te, qualem rerum fadem
quantumque a priore mutatam in Ecclesia videbimus?
Quam erunt confusa, inversa, atque praepostera omnia? Sed
adhuc propius urgebimus eos, interrogabimusque : An non
tantum quae sub lege facta sunt, sed etiam quae ante legem ;
et an non tantum quae a Judaeis, sed et quae a gentibus
fuerint usitata, veluti jure postliminii, ad exemplum revoca-
bunt? Et si ilia tantum, cur non haec aeque atque ilia?
praesertim quae a sanctioribus et sapientioribus viris, ut
Socrate, Platone, Cicerone, etc. fuerint vel facta, vel appro -
bata. Quod si utraque concedent, concedant et nobis Bri-
tannis, more majorum nostrorum, denas duodenasque uxores
habere insimul communes, et maxime fratres cum fratribus,
parentes cum liberis : quod aliquando in hac insula usita-
tum fuisse, Caesar, non ignobilis auctor, testatur in Com-
mentariis. Concedant foeminis Christianis, quod Solon suis
Atheniensibus concesserat, ut quae viros parum ad rem
veneream idoneos sortitae fuissent, aliquem ex mariti pro-

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1540.] LETTERS. 807

plnquis impune admitterent. Concedant quod Lycurgus
concessit viris Laceda^moniis, ut qui minus esset ad pro-
creandam prolem idoneus, alteri cui vellet suam conjugem
impregnandam daret, et prolem precario sibi natam, ut pro-
priam, suo nomine nuncuparet. Aut denique quod Roma-
norum legibus permissum erat, ut qui satis liberorum pro-
creasset, uxorem suam alteri commodaret prolem desideranti.
Id quod et Cato vir gravissimus sapientissimusque habitus,
Hortensio amico suo legitur fecisse. Talia cum probata
fuerint antiquitus viris sapientissimis, ac philosophorum
legumque latorum optimis et sanctissimis, ut Platoni, Xe-
nophonti, Catoni, etc. ; quum eadem fuerint moribus recepta
Hebrseorum, Graecorum, Latinorum, (quorum populorum
respublicas et politias constat optime fuisse constitutas, et
ab omnibus scriptoribus maxime celebratas) age, facia-
mus et nos, si Deo placet, similia, et Christianis fratribus
permittamus facienda. Imo Christus Opt. Max. tarn fcBda,
tamque incestuosa connubiorum portenta a sua sancta Eccle-
sia dignetur avertere, nunc et in diem Domini, Amen.

Hsec ego ad te potissimum, charissime Osiander, in prae-
sentia scribenda duxi, propter eam, quae inter nos est et
jam diu fuit, summam necessitudinem et familiaritatem ;
quamvis putem, atque adeo certo sciam, te ab hujusmodi
tam absurdis et moribus et opinionibus quam alienissimum
esse. Cum caeteris vestratibus doctoribus levior et minus
arcta mihi intercedit amicitia; cujus ipsius quoque fateor me
multum poeniteret, si scirem hos esse fructus novi evangelii
ab ipsis tantopere jactitati, et a nobis quoque hactenus, ut
putabamus, non temere aliqua ex parte probati. Bene vale,
Dat. Lambeth, xxviimo. Decembr.

Tui Amantissimus,

T. Cantuarien.

CCLXI. To King Heney VIII».

It may please your Majesty to understand, that at my State Pa-
pert ^ vol. I
• [The Original of this Letter, preserved in the State Paper Office,
itf entirely in the Archbishop's handwriting.]

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308 LETTERS. [1541.

piirtli. repair unto the Queen's Grace % I found heran such
LetLcLxii. lamentation and heaviness, as I never saw no creature; so
OHgmai. that it would have pitied any man's heart in the world to
have looked upon her ; and in that vehement rage she con-
tinued, as they informed me which be about her, fixmi my
departure from her unto my return again ; and then I
found her, as I do suppose, far entered toward a frenzy,
which I feared before my departure from her at my first
being with her ; and surely, if your Grace's comfort had
not come in time, she could have continued no long time in
that condition without a frenzy, which, nevertheless, I do
yet much suspect to follow hereafter.

And as for my message from your Majesty unto her, I
was purposed to enter communication in this wise ; first, to
exaggerate the grievousness of her demerits ; then to de-
clare unto her the justice of your Grace's laws, and what
she ought to suffer by the same ; and last of all to agnify
unto her your most gracious mercy: but when I saw in
what condition she was, I was fain to turn my purpose, and
to begin at the last part first, to comfort her by your ;
Grace's benignity and mercy ; for else the redtal of your
Grace's laws, with the aggravation of her offences, might,
peradventure, have driven her unto some dangerous ecstasy,
and else into a very frenzy ; so that the words of comfort
coming last might peradventure have come too late. And
after I had declared your Grace's mercy extended unto
her, she held up her hands and gave most humble thanks

< [Catharine Howard. According to the official statement sent on
the 14th of Nov. to the English Ambassador in France, the Queen
" was spoken withal in it by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord
'< Chancellor, the Duke of Norfolk, the Lord Great Chamberlain of
** England, and the Bishop of Winchester ; to whom at the first she
** constantly denied it ; but the matter being so declared unto her, that
** she perceived it to be wholly disclosed, the same nieht she disclosed
^' the whole to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who took the confession
'* of the same in writing, subscribed with her nand.^ Lord Herbert, Life
of Hen, VIIL p. 534. The interview described in this Letter of Cran-
mer*s seems to have been subsequent to her first confession, and was
perhaps the same at which she signed the paper printed by Burnet,
Kef\ vol. iii. App. B. iii. No. 72. Much new correspondence on this
subject has lately been published in the State Paperty vol. i. p. 689,
&c.]

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1541.] LETTERS. 309

unto your Majesty, who had showed unto her more grace
and mercy ^, than she herself thought meet to sue for or
could have hoped of; and then, for a time, she began to be
more temperate and quiet, saving that she still sobbed and
wept ; but after a little pausing she suddenly fell into a new
rage, much worse than she was before.

Now I do use her thus ; when I do see her in any such
extreme brayds, I do travail with her to know the cause, and
then, as much as I can, I do labour to take away, or at
the least to mitigate the cause ; and so I did at that time.
I told her there was some new fantasy come into her head,
which I desired her to open unto me ; and after a certain
time, when she had recovered herself that she might speak,
she cried and said, ^ Alas, my lord, that I am alive, the

< fear of death grieved me not so much before, as doth now
^ the remembrance of the King's goodness ; for when I re-
^ member how gracious and loving a Prince I had, I can-

< not but sorrow ; but thb sudden mercy, and more than I

* could have looked for, showed unto me, so unworthy at
^ this time, maketh mine offences to appear before mine

* eyes much more heinous than they did before : and the
' more I consider the greatness of his mercy, the more I
^ do sorrow in my heart that I sliould so misorder myself

* against his Majesty.'^ And for any thing that I could say
unto her, she continued in a great pang a long while, but
after that she began something to remit her rage and come
to herself, she was meetly well until night, and I had very
good communication with her, and, as I thought, had
brought her unto a great quietness.

Nevertheless, at nighty about six of the clock, she fell
into another like pang, but not so outrageous as the first
was ; and that was, as she showed me, for the remembrance
of the time ; for about that time, as she s^d. Master Hen-
nage was wont to bring her knowledge of your Grace.

" [Tliis boasted " mercy," as is well known, was no obstacle to her
execution. She was beheaded, together with Lady Rochford, on the
12th of February following. Derham and Culpeper were executed oo
the 10th of December 1541.]

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810 LETTERS. [1541.

And because I lack ume to write all things unto your
Majesty, I have referred other things to be opened by the
mouth of this bearer, Sir John Dudlay ; saving that I have
sent herewith enclosed all that I can get of her concerning
any communication of matriuKMiy with Derame ; which, al-
though it be not so much as I thought, yet I suppose^
surely, it is sufficient to prove a contract, with carnal copu-
lation following ; although she think it be no contract^ as in-
deed the words alone be not, if carnal copulation bad not
followed thereof.

The cause that Master Baynton^ sent unto your Majesty^
was partly for the declaration of her estate, and partly be-
cause, after my departure from her, she b^an to excuse
and to temper those things which she had spoken unto me^
and set her hand thereto 7 ; as at my coming unto your
Majesty I shall more fully declare by mouth ; for she saith,
that all that Derame did unto her was of his importune
forcement, and, in a manner, violence, rathar than of her
free consent and will. Thus Almighty God have your
Majesty in his preservation and governance. [Nov. 154L]
From

Your Grace^s most bounden
chaplain,

T. Cantuarien.

To the King's Majesty.

* [It was the King*s pleasure that Bajntoo ** should attend ob die
'' Queen, to have the rule and government of the whole bouse ; and
<< with him the Almoner [Nicholas Hethe] to be also associate." Letter
from the Council to Cranmer in State Papert, vol. i. p. 699j

y [This is probably the document printed by Burnet, Ktf, vol. iii.
App. B. iii. No. 72. which is signed by Catharine Howard, and which
relates chiefly to her contract of matrimony with Derham. Tliough
this precontract was die point to which Cranmer's attenUon was
chiefly directed, the Lord Chancellor was stricdy charged, in declaring
the Queen's misconduct to the Privy Council, to omit all mendon of it.
And it is also altogether passed over in the official account sent to the
ambassadors. The object of the omission is admitted to have been,
*^ to engreave the misdemeanour,*' by suppressing what '* might serve
" for her defence." Cranmer probably on the other hand wished to
strengthen this defence, and to save her life by obtaining grounds for a
divorce. See State Papers, vol. i. p. 692; Lord Herbert, Itfe of
Henry VIIL p. 532.]

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J541.] LETTERS. 811

CCLXII. To King Heney VIII».

It may please your Majesty to be advertised^ that yester^ Siate Pa^
day the ambassador of Cleve came unto my bouse at Lam-^JJ]^'..^ '*
hith, and delivered me ^ letters from Oslynger, Vice-Chan- Letter
cellor unto the Duke of Cleve, which letters I have sent f^^ the
unto your Majesty herewith enclosed : the purport whereof, OrigmaU
after he hath set forth my lauds and commendations like an
orator, when he cometh to the substance of the matter, is
nothing else but to commend unto me the cause of the Lady
Anne of Cleve. Which although he trusteth that I would
do of myself, undesired, yet he saith that the occasion is
such, that he will not omit to put spurs to the horse that
runneth of his own courage. When I had read the letter,
and considered that no cause was expressed specially, but

* TThis Letter also is wholly in tlie Archbishop's handwriting.]

b [Olisleger's Letter is subjoined, from State rapert,vo\, i. p. 716.

''Salusetpax a Deo patre, et Jesu Christo Domino ac Salvatore
** nostro. Reverendissime Praesul ac Domine, muitis modis venerande.
^' Quoniam singularis candor, plurimorumque officiorum tuorum prae-
<< stationes muitis bonis viris tarn extra quam intra hoc florentissimum
'< re^um Angliae, cognita atque perspecta, de tua Celsitudine earn
<< opinionem statuerunt, eandemque Celsitudinem tuam ita suspicentur,
^* ut quod ad Omnipotentis Dei ac Benedicti Filii ejus gloriam illus-
'' trandam imprimis, ac deinde ad reipublics Christians, prssertim
** Anglicanae, tranquillitatem ac commoditatem conservandam, augen-
'' dam, promovendamque quovis modo pertinere videatur, id semper
^* singulari studio, opera, atque industria, Celsitudo tua fuerit prose-
*^ cuta ; fieri non potest, quin in eadem spe firmiter consistamus, etiam
<< nunc idipsum Clelsitudmem tuam pro sua virili curaturum. Itaque,
'< quantum plurimum possumus Celsitudinem tuam flagitamus, uti cau-
<^ sam illustrissimae Domins Annae, sororis Principis nostri pro rei com-
'^ meditate sibi quam commendatissimam habere non ^ravatim velit.
'< £t quamvis existimemus idipsum Celsitudinem tuam sme nostra in-
'' terpellatione sque factnram, nolui tamen committere, quin, pro hujus
'^ temporis occasione, hoc calcar equo sponte currenti admoverem. £t
<< oro Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, ut gratiam suam alioqui plus
'' satis infusam in Celsitudinem tuam au^ere, ac diu incolumem servare
^^ dignetur. Datum Duysseldorpii, pridie Calendas Decembris, 1541.
'' Ejusdem Celsitudinis tuae addictissimus,
" Henr. Olisl. Doct.
<< Vicecancellarius Clevensis.
'< Reverendissimo Presoli ac Domino, p>lu-

'< rimisque dotibus insigni, Domino

^' Thoms, per Dei gratiam, Archiepis-

« copo Cantuariensi, ac per re^pum An-

^' gliae Primario Praesidi, Domino pluri-

" mum Venerabili."]

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312 LETTERS. [1641.

only in general that I should have commended the cause c^
the Lady Anne of Cleve, although I suspected the true
cause of his coming, yet I would take upon me no know-
ledge of any special matter, but said thus unto him : ^ Mas-

* ter Ambassador, I have perused Oslynger^s letters, by

< the which he commendeth unto me the Lady Anne of

< Cleve's cause ; but forasmuch as he declareth no certain
^ cause, I trust you have some other instructions to inform

< me of some particular matter.^ Whereunto he answered,
that the cause was, the reconciliation of your Majesty unto
the Lady Anne of Cleve. Whereunto I answered, that I
thought not a little strange, that Oslynger should think it
meet for me to move a reconciliation of that matrimony, of
the which I, as much as any other person, knew most
just causes of divorce. And here I moved him to consider
your Grace'^s honour and the tranquillity of this realm, with
the surety of your 6race''s succes^on ; and further, how
this should agree with Oslynger'^s opinion of me^ as he
writeth in his letters, that I should study to the commodity
and tranquillity of this realm, if I should move your Grace
to receive her in matrimony, from whom your Majesty was, I
upon most just causes, divorced^; whereupon might grow •■
most uncertitude of your Grace^s succession, with such un-
quietness and trouble to this realm, as heretofore hath not
been seen. And when he would have begun something, as
appeared unto me, more largely to have reasoned the matter,
and to grope my mind, I finished our communication in
this sort : ^ Master Ambassador, this is a matter of great im-

^ portance, wherein you shall pardon me, for I will have

* no communication with you therein, unless it please the
^ Eing^^s Majesty to command me. But I shall signify unto

* his Highness your request, and thereupon you shall have

c [See the judgment of the Convocation for annulling the marriage,
in Burnet, Bjtf, vol. i. App. B. iii. No. 19, or in ^aXt Papers^ vol. i.
part ii. No. cxxiviii. where the signatures of the members are given,
and where also is added Hen. VIIl's Declaration of the causes of the
separation. However questionable tlie justice of these causes may be,
it was certainly, as Cranmer stated, '* not a little strange,'* that on the
discovery of Catharine Howard's incontinence, a reconciliation should
have been attempted.]

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1541.] LETTERS. 318

* an answer."* Now what shall be your Majesty^s pleasure
that I shall do, whether that I shall make him any answer
or no> and what answer it shall be, and whether I shall
make a general answer to Oslynger by writing, because he
writeth generally not touching this matter, or that I shall
make a certidn answer in this point to the ambassador by
mouth, I most humbly beseech your Majesty that I may be
advertised ; and according thereto I shall order myself, by
the grace of Grod : whom I beseech daily to have your Ma-
jesty evermore in his protection and governance. From my
manor of Lamhith, this Tuesday the 18 Januarii ^.
Your Grace^s most bounden

chapliun and beadsman,

T. Cantuarien.
To the King's Majesty.

CCLXIII. To LOED COBHAM «.

My Lord, after my right hearty commendations; these Hari. Mss.
are to advertise you, tfiat I have received your letters dated ^^- ^^'
at Calais the xi^ of April; and as concerning your re- Original,

^ [^* This date is manifestly erroneous, for the 13tb of January did
** not fall on a Tuesday between 1540, when the King was recently mar-
** ried to Anne of Cfeves, and 1545, when he was the husband of
** Catharine Parr. There can be little doubt that January is written
'< by mistake instead of December, for the ISth of December 1541 was
'* Tuesday, and this supposition makes this Letter coincide with Lord
<' Southampton's of the preceding day, which, from the other circuro-
*' stances adverted to in it, is fixed beyond dispute to that month and
"year." Note to State Papers^ vol. i. p. 717. These reasons are
quite conclusive in favour of the correction. The foUowine is, an
extract from the letter of Lord Southampton's, on which it is rounded.
" This morning [12 Dec.] the ambassador of Cleves was here at
" my house, and advertised me, that he hath letters of credence to your
'' Highness from the Duke his master, with two other letters ; the
*< one addressed to my Lord of Canterbury from OlisleKer, the other
** from the said Duke to my Lord Great Master ; and hath also de-
*' livered letters to me from the same Olisleger." Lord S. then proceeds
to give an account of the ambassador's conversation ; which was to the
same effect as that which is related by Cranmer. Letter from the Earl
of Southampton to Ring Henry VIII, in State Papers, vol. i. part ii.
Lett. CLXXvi.1

« [George Brook, Lord Cobham, Lord Deputy of Calais. The same
volume of the Harleian MSS. from which this Letter is taken, contains
much more of his correspondence.]

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814 LETTERS. [1644.

quest, that I should revoke the inhibition brought unto the
Arches by John Holland, in the matter between him and
William Porter : forasmuch as the said Holland hath ap-
pealed to the Arches, I cannot with justice interrupt his ap-
pellation, so that the same be again remitted unto the Com-
missary of Calice ; for then the said Holland should have just
occasion to appeal from me ; but for the better expedition
of the matter, I have sent to the Dean of the Arches, com-
manding him to surcease therein, and have wholly resumed
the matter into my hands. Wherefore, my lord, I pray
you let both the interrogatories and the testament, with all
the acts before the judge, be sent unto me, and I shall take
such an order therein as shall stand with equity and jus-
tice. I will stay the matter for a time, that you may make
an end therein, if you can, shortly, and if you cannot, then
I shall proceed as to the law appertaineth.

Moreover, I most heartily thank your lordship for your
wine, which I trust to remember; and if at any time
this year there come any to be sold at any reasonable
price, I pray you that I may have part thereof. Praying you
to have me heartily commended to my Lady Cobham, to
Mr. Treasurer^, to Mr. Marshall, to Mr. Wenteworthe,
and to my lady. Thus heartily, my lord, fare you well.
At Bekisbome^ the xviii^^^ of April.

Your assured,

T. Cantuarien.

And as concerning my Lady Ba3mton^8 request, you
write that you are content that she shall have the College S,
and not to meddle with Cobham Hall, I pray, my lord, to
send your mind herein to him that hath the ordering of

f ['< In the month of July, 1543, the King sent over 6000 men under
'< the leading of Sir John Wallope, accompanied with Sir T. Seymour,
« marshal. Sir Robert Bowes, treasurer,** &c. Stow, Annah, The
campaign of Henry VIII. himself, and the capture of Boulogne, took
place in 1544.]

% [The Master and Brethren of Cobham College, foreseeing their dis-
solution, sold it to George Brook, Lord Cobham, about 1538. Hasted,
Hi$t, of Kent, vol. i. p. 503.]

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1544.] LETTERS. 816

that house and your affairs there ; for my lady is willing to
have the same, so that she may have convenient ground
thereunto. Wherefore your lordship shall do well to send
your determinate mind, what commodities she shall have
with the College, and the prices thereof, appointing one to
whom she may resort^ and commune^ and conclude withal
in that behalf.

To my very loving lord, my Lord Cob-
ham, Lord Deputy of Calls.

CCLXIV. To King Henry VIII.

It may please your Majesty to be advertised, that ac- state Pa-
cording to your Highness^ commandment, sent unto me by ^'.7°*' ''
your Grace^s secretary Mr. Pagett, I have translated into Letter
the English tongue, so well as I could in so short time, fro^Jhc
certain processions^ to be used upon festival days, if after Original,
due correction and amendment of the same, your Highness ^J^iJg]
shall think it so convenient. In which translation, foras-^**'-^©!-".
much as many of the processions, in the Latin, were butl! .^ \.^

- iiTii.**.!* .1 Todd, Life

barren, as me seemed, and little fruitful, I was constrained of Cran-
io use mor^ than the liberty of a translator: for in someP^'^^'*
processdons I have altered divers words 5 in some I have
added part ; in some taken part away ; some I have left out
whole, either for bycause the matter appeared to me to be
little to purpose, or bycause the days be not with us festival
days ; and some procesrions I have added whole, because I
thought I had better matter for the purpose, than was the
procession in Latin : the judgment whereof I refer wholly
unto your Majesty ; and after your Highness hath corrected
it, if your Grace command some devout and solemn note
to be made thereunto, (as is to the procession which your
Majesty hath already set forth in EngUsh,) I trust it will much
excitate and stir the hearts of all men unto devotion and
godliness : but in mine opinion, the song that shall be made
thereunto would not be full of notes, but as near as may be,
for every syllable a note ; so that it may be sung distinctly

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316 LETTERS. £1544.

and devoutly, as be in the Matins and Evensong, Veniie,
the Hymns, Te Deuniy Benedicius^ Magnificat^ Nunc di-^
mittiSf and all the Psalms and Versicles ; and in the Mass
Gloria in Excelsisy Gloria Patri^ the Creed, the Preface,
the Pater nosier j and some of the Sanchis and Agnus. As
concerning the Salve festa dies, the Latin note, as I think,
is sober and distinct enough ; wherefore I have travailed to
make the verses in English, and have put the Latin note
unto the same. Nevertheless they that be cunning in singing,
can make a much more solemn note thereto. I made them
only for a proof, to see how English would do in song. But
by cause mine English verses lack the grace and facility that
I would wish they had, your Majesty may cause some other
to make them again, that can do the same in more pleasant
English and phrase. As for the sentence, I suppose will
serve well enough. Thus Almighty God preserve your
Majesty in long and prosperous health and felicity. From
Bekisbourne, the 7th of October S.

Your Grace^s most bounden

chaplmn and beadsman,
T. Cautuarien.
To the King's most excellent Majesty.

CCLXV. To Peinck Edwaed h.
Foxe, Jcti, Non magis poterat ipsa me [mea] servare salus, fili in Chris-
p ^786! " '® charisame, quam salus tua. Mea vita non dicenda est vita,

s [This Letter is placed in the State Papers under the year 1543. Mr.
Todd assigns it to 1544, Collier to 1545. The two latter opinions are
nearly equally probable ; but perhaps that of Mr. Todd is to be pre-
ferred. The prayer of procession, which is referred to as " already set
" forth," was authorized by Henry VIIFs mandate in June 1544,
shortly before his campaign in France. He returned from Boulogne on
the 1st of Oct., and being proud of his success, may probably have com-
manded it to be celebrated by religious processions. See Mandate to
Boner in the Appendix ; and Stow, JnnaU,]

^ [Foxe prints the following Letter, as that to which Cranmer*s was
an answer.

Pfiitce Edward to Cramner,

** Etsi puer sum, colendissime susceptor, non tamen immemor sum

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1646.] LETTERS. 817

absque tua et salute et valetudine. Quapropter cum te in*
columem ac salvum iutelligo, vitam edam mihi integram esse
et incolumein sentio. Neque certe absentia mea tarn est in-
jucunda tibi, quam sunt literae tuse perjucundse mihi. Quss
arguunt tibi juxta adesse et ingenium dignum tanto piincipe,
et praeceptorem dignum tanto ingenio. Ex quibus tuis literis
te sic literas video colere, ut interim doctrinae coelestis tua
nequaquam minima sit cura ; quss cuicunque sit curse, non
potest ilium quaevis cura frangere. Perge i^tur qua via
incepisU, Princeps illustrissime, et Spartam quam nactus es,
banc oma, ut quam ego per literas video in te virtutis
lucem, eadem olim illuminet universam tuam Angliam. Non
scribam prolixius, tum quidem ut me intelligas brevitate
non nihil affici^^um etiam quod credam, te estate quidem
adhuc parvulum parvo gaudere, et similem simili ; tum etiam
praeterea, ne impolita mea oratio in causa sit, quo generosa
ilia tua indoles barbariae vitium contrahat.

CCLXVI. To King Heney VIII.

It may please your Highness to be advertised, that foras- state Pnper
much as I might not tarry myself at London, because 1 2?i®*
had appointed the next day after that I departed from your Papers.
Majesty to be at Rochester, to meet the next morning all ?,"VP^*| ..
the Commissioners of Kent at Sittingboum; therefore thcApp.B.i.
same night that I returned from Hampton Court to Lamb- ^^' ^'*

*< vel officii erga te mei, vel humanitatis tus, quam indies mihi exhibere
^ studes. Nou exciderunt mihi humanissims tuae litene pridie divi
'* Petri ad me datae. Quibus antehac respondere nolui, non quod illas
** neglexerim, aut nou meminerim^ sed ut illarum diuturaa mc^litatione
*' fruerer, fideli(][ue memoria reponerem, atque demum bene ruminatis
" pro mea virih responderem. Proinde affectum erga me tuum vere
** patenium, quern in iilis expressisd, amplector et Veneror, optoque ut
'^ multos vivas annos, tuoque pio ac salubri consilio pergas esse mihi
<< venerandus pater. Nam pietatem ante omnia mihi araplectendum et
*^ exnsculandara esse duco, quoniam dirus Paulus dicit, Pietas ad omnia
*' utilis est, Optime valeut tua paternitas in plurimos annos. Harte-
^< fordis, 13. Januarii.

<< Tui studiosissimus,

" Edwardus Princeps."]

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318 LETTERS. [1546.

hith, I sent for the Bishop of ^ Wotcester inoontinently, and
declared unto him all your Majesty^'s pleasure, in such
things as your Majesty willed me to be done. And first,
where your Majesty^s pleasure was, to have the names of
such persons as your Highness in times passed appointed to
make laws eodesiastical for your Graoe^s realm \ the Bishop
of Worcester promised me, with all speed to inquire out
their names and the book which they made, and to bring
the names and also the book unto your Majesty ; which I
trust he hath done before this time.

And as concerning the ringing of bells upon Alhallow-
day at night, and covering of images in Lent, and creeping
to the cross, he thought it necessary that a letter of your
Majesty''s pleasure therein should be sent by your Grace
unto the two archbishops; and we to send the same to
all other prelates within your Grace^s realm. And if it be
your Majesty^s pleasure so to do, I have, for more speed,
herein drawn a minute of a letter, which your Majesty may
alter at your pleasure. Nevertheless, in my opinion, when
such things be altered or taken away there would be set
forth some doctrine therewith, which should declare the
cause of the abolishing or alteration, for to satisfy the con-
science of the people : for if the honouring of the cross, as
creeping and kneeling thereunto, be taken away, it shall
seem to many that be ignorant, that the honour of Christ is
taken away, unless some good teaching be set forth withal
to instruct them sufficiently therein : which if your Ma-
jesty command the Bishops of Worcester and ^ Chichester
with other your Grace^s chaplains to make, the people shall
obey your Majesty^s commandment willingly, giving thanks
to your Majesty that they know the truth ; which else they
would obey with murmuraUon and grutching. And it shall
be a satisfaction unto all other nations, when they shall see
your Majesty do nothing but by the authority of God'^s

>^ [Nicholas Hethe. See Letter lxxxix.]

' [See Prefiace ; Buraet, Ref. vol. i. p. 661. vol. iii. p. 308 ; Strype,
Cranm, p. 133.]
« [George Day.]

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1646.] LETTERS. 819

word, and to the settiDg forth of God'^s honour, and not
diminishing thereof. And thus Almighty God keep your
Majesty in his preservation and governance. From my
manor at Bekisboume, the ^th of January, 45. [1546".]
Your Grace^s most bounden

chaplain and beadsman.

I beseech your Majesty, that I may be a suitor unto the
same for your Cathedral Church of Canterbury j who to
their great unquietness and also great charges, do alienate
their lands daily, and as it is said, by your Majesty''s com-
mandment. But thb I am sure, that other men have gotten
their best lands, and not your Majesty. Wherefore this is
mine only suit, that when your Majesty^s pleasure shall be
to have any of their lands, that they may have some letter
from your Majesty to declare your Majesty^s pleasure, with-
out the which they be sworn that they shall make no alien-
ation : and that the same alienation be not made at other
men^s pleasures, but only to your Majesty^s use. For now
every man that list to have any of their lands, makes suit
to get it into your Majesty''s hands ; not that your Majesty
should keep the same, but by sale or gift from your Ma-
jesty, to translate it from your Grace^'s Cathedral Church
unto themselves.

T. Cantuarien.

The minute of the King's Majesty^B letters to he addressed
to the Archbishop of Canterbury ^.

Forasmuch as you, as well in your own name as in the

^ [Burnet, following the usual practice, interprets this date to be, ac-
cording to the new style, 1546; Mr. Todd wishes to tlirow it back to
the preceding year. But there seems to be no reason for doing so. On
the contrary, if, according to Foxe's statement, foreign negociations pre-
vented the Kin^ from acting on Cranmer's suggestions, the earlier date
is wholly inadmissible; for m 1545 the contending parties breathed no-
thing but war, and peace was not concluded till June 1546. See tlie
next note ; Foxe, ActSf Sfc, vol. ii. p. 585 ; Stow, AnnaU.I

^ [This Letter was never sent, in conseouence of the interference of
Gardyner, who led the King to believe that any farther innovation in

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aao LETTERS. [1546.

nmieof tbebidiopsof Woroesterand Chidiester, and other
our r^flp*^'"* and kamed men, whom we aj^Kiinted with

rdigioii would prevent the coodosioa of a league which he was at that
dme iMfEOCtatiDg between Ei^landy Fraocey and the Emperor. The
account of thb afBur, and of a subsequent plan of reformation enter-
tained bj Henry and the French ambassador, as pren bj Cranmer to
his Secretary Morice, in the following reign, b too curious and impor-
tant to be omitted. ** When [King Edw. VI's first] visitation was put
*< in a readiness, before the Commissioners should proceed in their
** TOTa^ the said Archbishop sent for the said Register his man
** [Monce] unto Hampton Court, and willed him in anj wise to make
** notes of certain things in the said visitation, whereof he gave unto
** him instraction, having then further talk with him toudiing the
** good effiect and success of the said Visitation. Upon which oc-
** casion the Register siiid unto his master the Archbishop : I do re-
** member that tod not long ago caused me to conceive and write
** letters, which King Henrj the Eighth should hare signed and di-
** rected unco jour Grace and the Archbishop of York, for the refbrma-
^ tion of certain enormities in the churches, as taking down of the
** roods, and forbidding of ringing on Allballow night, and such like
** vain cereoHMiies ; which letters vour Grace sent to the Court to be
** signed bj the King's Majesty, but, as jet, I think that there was
** never an j thii^; done therein.

** Whj, (quoth the Archbishop again,) never heard vou those letters
^ were suppressed and stopped ? W hereunto the Archbishop's servant
^ answering apun : As it was, (said he,) mj[ dutj to write those let-
** ters, so was it not m j part to be inquisitive what became there-
** upon.

^ MaiT, (quoth the Archbishop,) mj Lord of Winchester then being
^ bejond the seas about the conclusion of a league between the £m-
^ peror, the French King, and the King our master, and fearing that
'* some reformation should here pass in the realm touching religion in
** his absence against his appetite, wrote to the King's Majestj, bear-
'* ing him in himd that the league tlien towards would not prosper
^ nor go forwards on his Majestj's behalf, if he made anj other inno-
** vation or alteration in religion or ceremonies of the Church than was
" alreadj done ; which his advertisement herein caused the King to
^ staj the signing of those letters, as Sir Anthonj Denie wrote to me
** bj the King's commandment.

'' Then said his servant again unto him : Forsomuch as the King's
** good intent took no place then, now jour Grace maj go forward in
'' those matters, the opportunitj of the time serving much better there-
** unto than in King Uenrj's days.

** Not so, (quoth the Archbishop.) It was better to attempt such re-
^ formation in King Henrj the Eighth his dajs, than at this time, the
^ King beine in his infancy. For if the King's father had set forth
^ anj thing tor the reformation of abuses, who was he tliat durst gain-
*^ saj it ? Marj, we are now in doubt how men will take the change or
'^ alteration of abuses in the Church, and therefore the Council hath
" forborne especiallj to speak thereof, and of other things which
*^ gladlj thej would have reformed in this Visitation ; referring all '
*' those and such like matters to the discretion of the visitors. But if
'< King Henrj the Eighth had lived unto this daj with the French

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1646.] LETTERS. 321

you to peruse certain books of service which we delivered
unto you, moved us, that the vigil, and ringing of bells all
the night long upon Alhallow^ay at night, and the cover-
ing of images in the church in time of Lent, with the lift-
ing up of the veil that covereth the cross upon Palm- Sun-
day, with the kneeling to the cross the same time, might
be abolished and put away, for the superstition and other
enormities and abuses of the same : First, forasmuch as all
the vigils of our Lady and the Apostles, and all other vigils,
which in the beginning of the Church were godly used,
yet for the manifold superstition and abuses which after
did grow by means of the same, they be many years passed
taken away throughout all Christendom, and there remain-
eth nothing but the name of the vigil in the calendar, the
thing clearly abolished and put away, saving only upon
Alhallow-day at night, (upon which night is kept vigil,
watching, and rin^ng of bells all the night long;) foras-

" King, it bad been past my Lord of Winchester's power to have
'* visored the King's Highness, as he did when he was about the same
<< league.

** I am sure you were at Hampton Court, (quoth the Archbishop,)
^* when the French King's ambassador was entertained there at those
^< solemn banquetting houses not long before the King's death ; name-
^' ly, when after the banquet was done the first night, the King, lean-
'' ing upon the ambassador and upon me ; if I should tell what com-
" munication between the King's Highness and the said ambassador
*^ was had, concerning the establishing of sincere religion then, a
^* man would hardly have believed it. Nor had I myself thought the
** King's Highness had been so forward in those matters as then ap-
** peared : I may tell you it passed the pulling down of roods, and sup-
" pressing the nneing of bells. I take it, that few in England would
" have believed tbat the King's Majesty and the French King had
** been at this point, not only within half a year after to have changed
** the mass into a communion, (as we now use it,) but also utterly to
*^ have extirped and banished tlie Bishop of Rome and his usurped
'* power out of both their realms and dominions.

** Yea they were so thoroughly and firmly resolved in that behalf,
" that they meant also to exhort the Emperor to do the like in Flan-
^' ders and other his countries and seignones, or else they would break
« off from him. And herein the King's Highness willed me, (quoth
" the Archbishop,) to pen a form thereof to b^ sent to the French King
" to consider of."

" But the deep and most secret providence of Almighty God, ovi^ing
'^ to this realm a sharp scourge for our iniquities, prevented for a time
** this their most godly device and intent, by taking to his mercy both
" these princes." Foxe, Acts and Motiuments, vol. li. p. 686. See also
Henry VlII's declaration to the Saxon ambassador, ibid. p. 647.]

VOL. J. Y

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LETTERS. [1646.

much as that vi^l is abused as other vigils were, our plea- y
sure is, as you require, that the said vigil shall be abo- !
lished as the other be, and that there shall be no watching, j
nor ringing, but as be commonly used upon other holydays ,
at night. We be contented and pleased also^ that the :
images in the churches shall not be covered, as hath been ac« ^
customed in times passed ; nor no veil upon the cross ; nor ]
no kneeling thereto upon Palm- Sunday, nor any other time. :
And forasmuch as you make no mention of creeping to the i
cross, which is a greater abuse than any of the other; for'
there you say, " Crucem tuam adoramus Domine;" and the'
Ordinal saith, '^Procedant clerici ad crucem adorandum!
" nudis pedibus;'' and after followeth in the same Ordinal,;
" Ponaturcrux ante aliquod altare, ubi a populo adoretur ;"";
which by^yPMr 9Wn book^ called, J Necessary Doctrine, is|
against the second commandment: therefore our pleasure/
is, that the said creeping to the cross shall likewise cease
from henceforth and be abolished, with the other abuses
before rehearsed. And this we will, and straitly command
you to signify unto all the prelates and bishops of your
province of Canterbury, charging them, in our name, to see ;
the same executed, every one in his diocese, accordingly. j

CCLXVII. To THE Chapter of Canteebury.

Strype, After my hearty commendations ; whereas I am in-

p. 138. ' formed that you be in doubt, whether any prebendary of

from the that my church may exchange his house or garden with

of chridt another prebend of the same church Hving, and that you be

CaDte?.' moved by this statute so to think, which here followeth ;

bury. << Statuimus ut Canonicus de novo electus et demissus in

^< demortui aut redgnantis aut quovismodo cedentis aedes

" succedat :^ these be to signify unto you, that neither

this statute, nor any other reason that I know, maketh any

thing against the exchange between two prebends living, but

that they may change house, orchard, or garden during

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1647.] LETTERS.

their life, this statute or any other reason contrary notwith-
standing. And whereas you have appointed your preachers
at your last chapter their chambers and commodities, I re-
quire you that they may be indelayedly admitted there-
unto, according to that your order. Thus fare you well.
From my manor of Croydon, the 12th of December, 1546.

T. Cantuariens.
To my loving friends^ the Vice-dean
and Prebendaries of my Church in
Canterbury.

CCLXVIII. ToBoNEE.

After our right hearty commendations; whereas it hathcranm.
pleased Almighty Grod to send the Song'^s Majesty such^^***^*
victory against the Scots P, as was almost above the ex-strype,
pectation of man, and such as hath not been heard of in ^ranm.
any part of Christendom this many years : in which victory
above the number of 15,000 Scots be sl^un, 2000 taken
prisoners, and among them many noblemen and others of
good reputation ; all their ordnance and baggage of their
camp also won from them : the King^s Majesty, with advice
of his Highness^ Privy Council, presently attending upon
his Majesty''s most royal person, well knowing this as all
other goodness to be the gifts of God, hath and so doth ac-
count it ; and therefore rendereth unto Him the only glory
and praise for the same : and so hath willed me, not only
in his Majesty^s cathedral church, and other churches of
my diocese, to ^ve thanks to Almighty God, but also to
require in his name all other bishops of the province of
Canterbury to do or cause to be done semblably in their
cures. Which his Majesty^s pleasure I have thought good
to signify unto you, requiring you, not only to cause a
sermon to be made in your cathedral church the next holy-
day after receipt thereof, declaring the goodness of God,
and exhorting the people to faith and amendment of life ;

P [Viz. In the battle of Pinkey, won on the 10th of Sept. 1547.]
Y 2

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324 LETTERS. [1547.

and to give thanks to God for this victory ; but also at the
same time, immediately after the sermon, and in presence of
the Mayor, Aldermen, and other the citizens of London, to
cause the Procession in English, and Te Deum to be openly
and devoutly sung. And that you do also cause the like
order to be given in every parish church of your diocese,
upon some holyday, when the parishioners shall be there
present, with as much speed as you may ; not failing, as
you tender his Majesty^s pleasure. Thus fare you heartily
well. From Otelands, the 18th day of December <), the
year of our Lord God 1547.

Your loving friend,

T. Cantuarien.

The CounciPs pleasure is, you shall see this executed on
Tuesday next

To the Dean and Chapter of St.
Paul's, in London, this be given
in haste ■".

CCLXIX. To Boner.

Wilkins, This is to advertise your lordship, that my Lord Protectories
voKh^p. Grace, with advice of others the King's Majesty's Council,
3 3. from for certain considerations them thereunto moving, hath fully
Regist. fol. resolved, that no candles should be borne upon Candlemas
day, nor also from henceforth ashes or palms used any
longer. Wherefore I beseech your lordship to cause ad-
monition thereof to be given in all parish churches through-
out your diocese, with all celerity : and likewise unto all
other bishops that be hereabouts^ that they may do the

*» [" Deceraber" is the word in the register, but, as Strype obseires,
there can be little doubt of its being a clerical error for '' Septem-
" ber." See also Heylyn, Eccle$. Rettaur. Edw. VI. p. 47.]

' [This also is copied accurately from the register, yet expressions
in the Letter itself prove that it was addressed to the Bishop of Lon-
don.]

no,

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1648.] LETTERS. S26

semblable in their dioceses before Candlemas day. And as
for other bishops that cannot have knowledge so soon, you
may give them knowledge hereof at more leisure, so that it
be done before Ash Wednesday. Thus fare your lordship
well.

Your loving friend,

T. Cantuar.
Lambeth, Jan, 27, 1547. [1548.]

CCLXX. To Matthew Paeker.

I commend me unto you ; signifying, that the Lord C.C.C.C.
Protector, conceiving good opinion of your wisdom, learn- cvm. p.
ing, and earnest zeal which you bear to the setting forth of"'- .
God^s word among the people, hath, by the advice of the
Council, appointed you to preach one sermon at PauPs
Cross in London, on Sunday, being the 22. day of July
next, not doubting but that you will purely and sincerely
set out the holy Scriptures, so as God^s glory may be ad-
vanced, and the people with wholesome doctrine edified.
These therefore shall be to require you to prepare yourself
ready in the mean season to supply the day, time, and place
to you appointed accordingly ; foreseeing that you present
yourself unto the Dean of PauPs, resiant at his house in
PauPs Church Yard, or unto his deputy there, the Saturday
before noon that you shall preach, or at the least to signify
then unto him by your letters, or some sure messenger,
that you will not fail to preach the Sunday ; because the
Cross must in no wise be disappointed or destitute of a
preacher. Thus heartily fare you well. From my manor
at Lambith, the 6. day of May. [1548.]

Your loving friend,

T. Cant.

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326 LETTERS. [1548.

CCLXXI. To King Edwaed VI ^

To the most excellent Prince Edward F/, by the grace of
Gody King of Engiandy France^ and Ireland^ Defender
of the Faith^ and in earth of the Church of England and
Ireland immediately under God Supreme Head, y<^r
Graces humble Subject and Chaplain Thomas Arch-
bishop of Canterbury f wisheth abundance of aU grace
and godliness with a long and prosperous reign.

Cranmer*8 It is not unknown unto the whole world, most excellent
Catechism, Prince, that your Grace'*s father, a King of most famous
memory, of a fervent and earnest godly dispodtion and
tender zeal towards the setting forth of God^s glory, most
diligently travailed for a true and a right reformation and a
quiet concord In Christ's religion throughout all his domin-
ions; wherein undoubtedly he brought many things to a
godly purpose and effect, and did abolish and take away
much blindness and ignorance of God, many great errors,
fond and pernicious superstitions and abuses, that had crept
into this Church of England, and Ireland a long time. And
I, perceiving that your Majesty, by the advice of your most
dear uncle my Lord Protector, and the rest of your Grace'*s
most honourable Council, is most desirous perfectly to finish
and bring to pass that your father did most godly begin,
do think that there is nothing more necessary for the fur-
therance hereof, then that it might be foreseen how the
youth and tender age of your loving subjects may be
brought up and traded in the truth of God^s holy word.

For it is thought, not to me only but to many others, that
neither your Grace^s father should have been inforced in his
time to have taken so great pains for the reformation of
Christ's religion, neither yet your Highness in this your
time should need with such great difficulty go about to
further God's cause and his true service, with so many
laws, injunctions, and proclamations, if so great negligence

' [This Letter was prefixed to the translation of the Catechism of
Justus JonaS; set forth by the Archbishop in 1548. See Preface.]

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1648.] LETTERS. 827

of the education of the youth had not been so much
suffered, and the necessary points and articles of our
religion and profession omitted, of those whose ofiice and
bounden duty was to have most diligently instructed the
youth in the same. Or if the ancient and laudable cere-
mony of confirmation had continued in the old state, and
been duly used of the ministers in time convenient, where
an exact and strait examination was had of all such as
were of full age, both of their profesaon that they made in .
baptism touching their belief and keeping of God^^s com-
mandments, with a general solemn rehearsal of the said
commandments and of all the articles of their faith.

Surely there can be no greater hope of any kind of per-
sons, other to be brought to all honest conversation of living,
or to be more apt to set forth and maintain all godliness and
true religion, than of such as have been from childhood
nourished and fed with the sweet milk, and as it were the
pap of God**s holy word, and bridled and kept in awe with
his holy commandments. For commonly as we are in
youth brought up, so we continue in age, and savour long-
est of that thing that we first receive and taste of. And as
a fair table finely polished, though it be never so apt to re-
ceive either pictures or writings, yet it doth neither delight
any men^s eyes, neither yet profit any thing, except the
paintertake his pencil, set to his hand, and with labour and
cunning replenish it with scriptures or figures as appertain-
eth to his science ; even so the tender wits of young children,
being yet naked and bare of all knowledge, through the
grace of God, be apt to receive God**s gifts, if they be ap-
plied and instructed by such schoolmasters as have know-
ledge to bring them up and lead them forward therein.
And what can be more apt to be grown or painted in the
tender hearts of youth, than God''s holy word ? What can
lead them a righter way to God, to the obedience of their
Prince, and all virtue and honesty of life, than the sincere
understanding of God''s word, which alone showeth the
way how to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him ?
What can better keep and stay them, that they do not

y 4

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328 LETTERS. [1548.

suddenly and lightly fall again from their faith ? What can
cause them more constantly to withstand the assaults of the
Devil, the world, and the flesh, and manfully to bear the
cross of Christ, than to learn in their youth to practise
the same? And verily it seemeth no new thing that the
children of them that be godly, should be thus instructed
in the faith and commandments of God even from their
infancy. For doth not God command his people to teach

Dcut xi. his law unto their children and childeFs children ? Hath
not this knowledge continued from time to time amongst
them, to whom God promised to be their God, and they his
people? Doth it not appear by plain expressed words of

a Tim. ii. Paul, that Timothy was brought up even from a child in
holy Scriptures ? Hath not the commandments of Almighty
God, the articles of the Christian faith, and the Lord'^s
Prayer, been ever necessarily, since Christ's time, required
of all, both young and old, that professed Chrisf s name,
yea though they were not learned to read ? For doubtless
in these three points is shortly and plainly included the
necessary knowledge of the whole sum of Chrisfs religion,
and of all things appertaining unto everlasting life.

In consideration whereof, in this time of your gracious
reformation of all ungodliness, and the setting forth of
God's true glory, I, knowing myself as a subject greatly
bounden, and much the more by reason of my vocation, to
set forward the same, am persuaded that this my small
travail in this behalf taken, shall not a little help the sooner
to bring to pass your godly purpose. For by this little
treatise^ not only the youth of your Grace's realm may learn
to know God, and how they may most purely and sincerely
honour, glorify, and sei*ve Him, and may also learn their
office and duty how they ought to behave themselves, first
toward God, secondly towards your Majesty, and so to-
wards all ministers under the same, towards their fathers
and mothers, and all other persons of what sort or degree
soever they be : but also many of the older sort, such as
love God and have a zeal to his honour and glory, and yet
' [Namely, the translation of Justus Jonas*s Catechism. See Preface.]

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1548.] LETTERS. 8«9

in their youth, through negligence, were brought up in
ignorance, may, by hearing of their children, learn in their
age that which passed them in their youth.

And as mine intent and endeavour is to profit both, and
according to mine office to bring both to the right know-
ledge of God, so my most earnest and humble prayer unto
God continually, shall be that my good mind and desire
may have good success, and take effect according to mine
expectation. Which thing 1 assuredly hope shall come to
pass, if it would please your Highness to suffer this little
book, by me offered unto your Majesty, to be read, taught,
and learned of the cliildren of your most loving subjects, in
whom is great hope of all grace, godliness, and virtue.

Your Grace^s humble subject and chapliun,
Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury.

CCLXXII. To John a Lasco «.

lUusiri Viro D. Joanni a Lasco, Amico suo carissimOf
S. D. P.

Adventum tuum ad nos, alterius cujusdam negotii subito Gabbema^
interventu impeditum esse doleo, non enim dubito, quin de^^^^^^
tua vocatione^ facile tibi satisfecissem, si coram tecum mm, ui.
mihi potestas coUoquendi fuisset. Sed quia hoc tempore
venire non potuisti, scribis tamen te venturum esse posthac,
si prius ex Uteris nostris intellexeris, qualis vocationis tu»
^tio apud nos futura sit: Uteris tecum agam, et quod
coram copiosius fortassis dicturus eram, id per literas ex-
plicabo brevi. J Cupimus nostris Ecclesiis veram de Deo

** [See a memoir of this Polish reformer in Gerdes, Hiti. Reformat,
vol. lii. p. 145 ; and a Collection of his Letters in the Scrinium Antu
guarium of the same author, torn. ii. &c.1

< [The following extract is rather ambiguous, but it seems to imply
that John a Lasco had been invited to England in the preceding year.
** Nuntium mittimus Witebergam ad Philippum [MelancthonemJ, aut
'' ubi is sit, scribimusque ad ilium de vocatione in Angliam, de qua
^< hodie ad te scripsi.^ Letter from John a Lasco to Albert Harden-
berg, Embd. 11 Oct. 1547. in Gerdes, Serin. Antiq, tom. ii. p. 635.1

y [*' In the year 1548 Cranmer propounded a great and weighty du-
" siness to Melaiicthon ; and a matter that was likely to prove highly

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8S0 LETTERS. [1548.

doctrinam proponere, nee volumus cothurnos faoere aut
ambiguitatibus ludere*; sed aemota omni prudentia camis,
veram, perspicuam, sacrarum literarum normae coDvenieotem
doctriiifle formam ad posteros transmittere ; ut et apud
omnes gentes extet illustre testimonium de doctrina nostra,
gravi doctorum et piorum auctoritate traditum, et univena
posteritas normam habeat quam sequatur. Ad perfidendam
rem tantam eruditorum hominum praesentia nobis opus esse
judicavimus, qui collatis notnscum judiciis, doctnnse contro-
versias tollant, et integrum corpus verse doetrinae extruant.
Accersivimus igitur et te et alios quosdam doctos viros^; qui
cum non gravatim ad nos venerint, ita ut nullum fere ex iis
prseter te et Melancthonem desideremus: summopere te
rogamus, ut et ipse ad nos venias, et Melancthonem, si ullo
modo fieri poterit, tecum adducas. ^ Tertiam nunc epist*

« useful to all the Churches of the evangelic professioD. It was this :
** the Archbishop was now driving on a design for the better uniting of
** all Protestant Churches ; viz. by having one common confession and
** harmony of faith and doctrine, drawn up out of the pure word of
*' God, which they might own and agree in." , , ,*' But the troubles at
" home and abroad frustrated this excellent purpose.'' Strype, Cranm,
p. 407. who drew his information from Melancthon's letters only, noc
being acquainted with those by Cranmer, which are now first printed
fit>ro manuscripts at Zurich. See Letters cclxxiii,cclxxvi. ccLxxxiir,
ccLxxxiv, ccLXXxv; and Strype, MemoriaU^ vol. ii. p. 56.J

* f^ee Letter cclxxiii.]

' [t*he following news from England was communicated by John a
Lasco to Albert Hardenberg on the 19th of this same July. '^ Con-
** tentio sacramentaria ccepit illic exagitari per quosdam, estque instituta
« ea de re publica disputatio, ad quam magnis multorum precibus
" vocor, Bucerus exspectatur. Franciscus noster Drvander iam adest.
<< Et de Calvino mussatur^ nisi quod Gallus est.'' Gerdes, Serin,
Antiq. torn. ii. p. 644.]

>> [Archbishop Lawrence, in the notes to his Bampton Lectures,
after enumerating Henry VIII's invitations to Melancthon, gives the
fbllotving account of repeated applications of the same kind under
his successor. ** During the short reign of Edward, solicitations
<< of a similar nature appear to have been frequent. Latimer, in a
" sermon preached before the King, March 29, 1540, thus alludes to a
*' report of the time : ' I heard say, Master Melancthon, that ^reat
^ * derk, should come hither. I would wish him, and such as he is, to
^ < have SOO/. a year. The King should never want it in his coffers at
<' * the year's end.' In the subsequent year his presence here was a se*
<' cond time requested. ^ Ego,' he remarks in a tetter to J. Camerarius,
<< 'rursus in Angliam vocor.' Epist. lib. iv. 780. May 17, 1550. And
" lastly, Hgain before the death of that much lamented prince ; ' Regiis
'* ' literis vocor in Angliam, qus scriptae sunt mense Maio. Postea se-
** <cuta est mors nobilissimi adolescentis.* Epist. lib. iv. 813. A.D.

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164f8.] LETTERS. 881

olam ad Melancthonem mitto, qua eum hortar, ut ad nos
veniat ; quibus meis epistolis si tuse adhortationes accesse-
lint, non difBdo eum persuader! posse, ut toties iteratam
vocationem sequatur^. Nullas, ut arbitror, insidias hostium,
nulla itinerum pericula pertimescit, quae, si qua sunt, mino-
ra tamen sunt iis, quibus nunc est. Adde, quod exigui
temporis molestiis, multorum annorum quietem abi, reipub.
vero utilitatem adferret setemam; Quod si ei commigratio-
nem ad nos aut inutilem aut injucundam fore prospicerem,
nemo certe me dissuaderet vehementius. Nunc vero, cum
videam nihil ab eo aut ipsi aut reipub. posse fieri utilius,
quam ut hoc tempore ad nos veniat, insto vehementius,
teque hortor, ut omnem curam cc^tationemque tuam in
hoc unice convertas, ut Philippum nostrum plane nostrum
facias. Qualis et tua et ipsius futura ^t conditio paulo
ante ostendi. Ita tamen ostendi, ut experientia vestra
potius quam prsedicatione mea Angliam vobis placere cu-
piam. Bene et feliciter Yale. Londini, die iv. Julii

MDXLVIII.

Tuse prsesentiae cupidiss.

T. Cantuariensis.

CCLXXIII. To Albeet Hardenbebg <*.

• . . e Cupimus nostris Ecclesiis veram de Deo doctri- Copia ma-

na Hu1)erti

<< 1553. The lalter circumstaoce Strype notices in bis Ecclesiastical
'' Memorials : * Had not,' be says, ' the King died so soon, the mode-
" * rate, learned, and wise Melancthon would have come into England,
** ' and been placed in the University of Cambridge.' ^ Bempton Led.
pp. 186. 227. It will be observed, that all these invitations were subse-
quent to that which is the subject of this and the following Letter.]

^ [John a Lasco forwarded Cranmer's Letter to Melancthon by "Mdi'
nus, as appears from his inquiry to Hardenbergon the 28th of July.
" Te rogo ut ad ilium [i. e. Melancthonem] per occasionem scribas,
<< num literas Cantuarienses a me ad se per ^pinum transmissas acce-
'' perit, et ut respondeat.'' Letter from John a Lasco to Hardenberg,
28. July, 1548. in Gerdes, Serin, Antiq, torn. ii. p. 646.]

^ [Albert Hardenberg, the friend and correspondent of John a Lasco,
was educated at the University of Louvain. He commenced his minis-
terial labours at a monastery m Groningen ; from whence he moved to
Cologne on the invitation of Archbishop Herman. At the date of this

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88« LETTERS. [1648.

!o MSS. nam proponere, nee volumus ' cothurnos facere aut ambigui-

I?*SCTin ^'^^^^^^ ludere: sed semota omni prudentia carnis, veram,

Ecd.Ar. perspicuam, ac S. Littenunim nonnse convenientem doc-

^°^ *' txinse formam ad posteros transmittere ; ut et apud omnes

gentes extet testimonium doctrinae nostrse gravi doctorum et

pionim autoritate traditum, et universa posteritas normam

habeat quam sequatur. Ad perficiendam rem totam enidi-

torum hominum praesentia nobis opus esse judicavimus, qui

collatis nobiscum judiciis, doctrinae oontroveruas tollant, et

integrum corpus verse doctrinae extruant. Accersivimus

igitur plerosque pios et doctos viros, quorum S alios babe-

Letter be was at the head of the reformed Church at BremeD, overwhich
he presided from 1547 to 1561. He then retired, to avoid the troubles
of the UbiquitariaD controversy, to Embden ; where he died in 1574.
His character is thus given by Gerdes, Hi$t, Evang, Renav, vol. iiL
p. 158. '* Erat theologus iusignis, atijue turn doctrina eicellebat, tum
'< facundia pnestabat, et recte de religione sentiebat; praeterea, pruden-
** tia, moderatiooe animi, morum commoditate valebat, et has dotes
<' singular! pietate omabat.'']

^ [This fragment is printed from a copV) furnished by Mr. Salr mon
Hess, of a manuscript at Zurich. The reference in the margin is given
on the same authority.]

^ [Cranmer seems here to be replying to a letter from Melancrhon,
dated the 1st of May in this year. A strong opinion is there expressed
against ambiguities in Confessions of Faith, and against the mode at-
tempted by Charles V. in his Interim^ of settling controversies by the use
of ^nendities ; by which, said Melancthon, <' cothurnos facit, qui novas
^ discordias excitabunt.*' Melancthon, Epist, lib. i. 66. The applica-
bility of the proverb to such articles of faith as each party might mtei^
pret according to their own tenets, will be understood from its expla-
nation by Erasmus. ** ^ Versatilior cothumo,* dictum est in homiuem
" paruro constantem, lubricaque fide, quive incertae et ancipitis esset
** factionis,similitudineductaacalceamento, quodOneci »«9«fv«v, Latini,
** mutata literula, cothumum vocant. Erat autem quadrangulum et
*' utrique conveniens pedi, quodque vel dextro vel sinistro p^i potuit
** accommodari." Erasmus, Adag. cent. i. 94.]

t ['* I find divers outlandish learned and godly men this year [1547]
" at Canterburv :/ among the rest was John Utenhovius, a person of ho-
'' nourable rank and quality, aflerwards elder and assistant to John a
*< Lasco's church in London. Here was also Valerandus Pollanus, and
'' one Franciscus. There was a loving correspondence held between
" the said Utenhovius liere, and Peter Martyr now at Lambeth.*' Strype,
Memorial*, vol. ii. p. 78. A notice of some other foreigners of less
eminence, entertained by the Archbishop about this time, will be
found in the same work, p. 404. The following is Archbishop Par-
ker's account of Cranmer*s attentions to continental divines. '* Cran-
'* merus Archiepiscopus, ut evangelicam doctrinam in Cantebrigiensi
'' atque Oxoniensi Academiis, e quibus ad totius regni institutionem
'' doctores infiniti prodeunt, firmaret, celeberrimos theologos ab exteris

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1548.] LETTERS. 38S

mus jam, alios vero brevi expectamus. Sed de Philippo
Melanchthone nihil adhuc certi habemus ^. Quare te sum-
mopere rogamus, ut iUum, si id ullo modo facere poesis,
ad iter ad nos suscipiendum inducas. Tertiam nunc ad
ipsum epistolam misi, qua ilium hortor ut ad nos veniat ;
quibus epistolis si tuse adhortationes accesserint, non diffido
ilium persuaderi posse, ut toties iteratam vocationem sequa-
tur. Nullas, ut arbitror, insidias hostium, nullaque itine-
rum pericula pertimescit, quae si quae sunt, minora tamen
sunt iis, in quibus nunc est K Adde, quod exigui temporis

*' natioDibus in Angliaro accersivit, Petrum MartyremVermilium, Floren-
'' tiuum,et Martinum Bucerum, Gennanun],ex Argentorato profectum:
** iile Oxonii docuit, hie Cantebrigie. Ciim hoc etiam Paulas Fagius
** Hebraicas literas Cantebrigiae professus est. Ac pniiter hos Imma-
'* nuelem Tremellinm, Bernardinum Ochiuum, Petrum Alexandram,
*' Valerandum Pollanum ; quos omnes cum liberis atque coujugibus
** abuiide alebat. Philippus etiam Melancthon atque Muscuius accer-
'< siti sunt ; sed a patnis retenti se per literas excusabant. In hos
" aJiosque doctos theologos tanta beneficentia Cranmeras usus est ; ut
** coUectis quotannis suarum expensaruro rationibus, nihil sibi'ex redi-
" tibus residui superesse poterat." Matt. Parker, Antig. BriL EccUs.
p. 608. It will be observed, that Archbishop Parker, in mentioning
these invitations to foreigners, does not hint at any project for effecting
a protestant union.]

^ [Three letters from Melancthon to Cranmer in this year have
been printed, but none of them contain a positive answer to the invita-
tion to England. The strongest expression on the subject is in the let-
ter of the 1st of May, cited above. He there says : " Si meum judicium
" ac suffragium flagitabitis, libenter et audiam alios doctos viros, et
" dicam ipse sententiam roeo loco, et sententiae causas ostendam,
** r« filf wtiOan, Tk )l ru9ifiif0t, Ut decet in colloquio piorum.'' In a sub-
sequent letter he pives much advice respecting drawing up such a sum
of necessary doctnne as would leave no ^xw i^tin ; but says nothing of
coming to England himself. Melancth. Episi, lib. i. 66. lib. iii. 43, 44.
Strype, Cranmer^ p. 406.]

' [Cranmer alludes to the attempt of Charles the Vth, in 1548, to
force the Interim on the German Protestants. Melancthon's conduct
on the occasion so deeply offended the Emperor, that he only escaped
the effects of his anger by the refusal of Maurice of Saxony to deliver
him into his hands. Yet he afterwards made concessions of sufficient
importance, to lay the foundation oi the Adiaphoristic controversy and
of a serious schism in the Lutheran Church. The following is his own
account of the dispersion of many Protestant ministers, and of the prin-
ciples on which he himself resolved to remain at his post. << Pulsi sunt
** pastores plures quadringentis in Suevia et ad Rhenum. Tubingae
*^ nunc, pulsis pastoribus et concionatoribus, unicus est sacrificulus, qui
^< ut libro Augustano satisfiat, oblationem restituit. Mirum est i^tur,
'' cur adhuc aetatem auream promittat Islebius, cum manifeste videat
" vastari tam multas ecclesias, pios et doctos viros exulare cum totis
'' fiimiliis. Tante calamitates cum alibi fiant» nos edam duram servi-

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334 LETTERS. [1648.

molestiis, multorum annorum quietem sibi, rapublicae yero
utilitatem adferet fletemam. Quod si ei hoc ad nos iter
aut inutile aut injucundum fore prospicerem, Demo me
certe hoe illi vehementius dissuaderet, sed cum videam nihil
ab eo aut ipsi aut reipublicae posse fieri utilius, quam ut hoc
tempore ad nos veniat, opto vehementius, teque oro, ut
omnem curam cogationemque tuam in hoc convertas, ut
Philippum nostrum plane nostrum facias. Qualis ipsius
hie futura at conditio, jam ostendi. Ita tamen ostendi, ut
experientia ipsa potius quam mea prsdicatione Angliam
nostram ei placere cupiam. Quod si noster Philippus vi-
deat, ad quid vocetur, a quibus autem hominibus, certe et
ipsius et verse reli^onis amantissimis, et quanto studio vo-
cetur simul et exspectetur ; profecto non video et nesdo an
vocationem banc negligere possit, praesertim cum nullam
pene certam se vocationem illic habere videat, quam huic
m^rito opponere queat. Si in simili vocatione deese noluit
sanctissimo illi seni Electori ^ Coloniensi, sane ne nunc qui-
dem illi licebit in causa multo graviore et magis etiam ne-
cessaria. Inviti fortasse sui ilium dimittunt, et ipse quoque
invitus suos dimittet, hoc potissimum tempore ; sed interim
metuo^ ne ilium omnes istic pro eo ac vellemus audiant, et
ut audiant, non scio an tanto cum fructu illic nunc esse
possit, quantum ex sua prsesentia in Anglia nostra nunc
haberi possit; qui tamen negligendus nobis non est, si-

<' tutem, modo sit sine impietate, tolerandam potius existimamus,
** quam discedendum ab ecclesiis/' Melancth. in Melch. Adam, Vita
Theolog. Bucer and Fagius took a different view of the matter, and
accepted Cranmer's offer of an asylum in England. See Camerarius,
Vita Melancth, §.79; Sleidan. De Statu Relig, book xx. xxi ; Mo-
sheim, Eccles. Hist. cent, xvi ; Mount's Letter in Burnet, Ref. vol.
iii. App. book iv. No. 3.]

^ [Melancthon accepted the invitation of Herman, Archbbhop and
Elector of Cologne in April 1543, and resided with him at Bonne till
August. See some account of the Simplex et pia deliberation &c. which
he and Bucer then compiled, in Strype, Memorialt, vol. ii. p. 26» and of
the use made of it in drawing up the English Book of Common Prayer,
in Archbishop Lawrence's Bampton Lectures^ p. 439. Herman however
failed in his attempts at reformation, and being unable to withstand
the Pope and the Emperor united, resigned his see in 1547. He died
in August 1559. Camerarius, Vita Mehncth. §. 59; Melancth. Epist,
lib. i. 74. iii. 38. 74, 75, 76. 119; Strype, Cranm, p. 986; Sleidan,
De Statu Relig. lib. xxiv.]

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1648.] LETTERS. 835

quidem nobis Christi Domini gloriam vere et ex animo
quserendam esse putamus. Utinam semel aliquid statuat,
et nos de animo suo certiores facial, aut ipse mox accur-
rat, omnesque nuntios praevertat. De sumptu prospicie-
mus, vel apud te, vel alibi, modo sciamus, quantum et quo
loco curari velit.

Cantabrigis, 28. Julii^ 1548.

CCLXXIV. To Maetin Bucbe K

Gratiam et pacem Dei in Christo. Legi tuas litems ad Buceri
Johannera Halesium, in quibus tristissimos Germanise ^^jjj^
casus in commemorans, te in tua urbe verbi ministerio vix strype,
diutius prseesse posse scribis. Gemens igitur propbetae illud ^^
exclamavi, Mirifica misericordias tuas^ qui salvos Jads 43.
sperantes in te a resistentibus dextera tua. Nee dubito
quin Deus hoc et similes piorum gemitus exauditurus sit :
et veram doctrinam, quae hactenus in vestris ecclesiis sincere
propagata est, et conservaturus et defensurus sit, adversus
omnes diaboli et mundi furores. Interim saevientibus fluc-
tuum procellis, in portus confugiendum est iis, qui vela in
altum tendere non possunt. Tibi igitur, mi Bucere, portus
longe tutissimus erit nostrum regnum, in quo, Dei beneiScio,
semina verae doctrinae feliciter spargi coeperunt. Veni igitur
ad nos; et te nobis operarium prsesta in messe Domini.
Non minus proderis catholicae Dei Ecclenae cum apud nos
fueris, quam si pristinas sedes retineres. Adde, quod ad-
fiictae patriae vulnera absens melius sauare poteris, quam
nunc possb praesens. Omni igitur semota cunctatione,
quamprimum ad nos venias. Ostendemus nobis praesentia
Buceri nihil gratius aut jucundius esse posse. Sed cave ne
quid ex itinere incommodi accipias. Nosti quos habeas vitae
inse(;tatores : eorum manibus ne te commiseris. Est istic
mercator quidam Anglus Richardus Hils", vir pius et

» [See Strype, Cranm, p. 196.]
n* [See Letter cclxxiii. note (i.)]

" [I'he same person, from whose long letter Burnet has extracted
many interesting particulars, (He/^. vol. iii. p. 375.) He however chose to

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836 LETTERS. [1548.

summa fidelitate praeditus, cum quo de tota itineris ratione
te conferre velim. Praeterea, Deum sternum Patrem Do-
mini nostii. Jesu Christi toto pectore oro, ut in ira miseri-
cordise recordetur, et afflictse Ecclesiae calamitates respiciat, et
lucem vene doctrinae apud nos magis magisque accendat ;
apud V06 vero jam multos annos prseclare lucentem, non
extingui patiatur. Is te quoque, mi Bucere, r^at et servet,
et incolumem ad nos traducat. Bene et feliciter Vale. Lon-
dini, 2 Octob. Anno 1548.

Tui ad nos accessus cupientissimus,

Thomas Cranmerus, Archiep. Cantuar.

CCLXXV. To Matthew Parkeeo.

MSS. I commend me heartily unto you ; signifying, that my

ciiv. p. Lord Protector'*s Grace having good opinion of your learned
OHrinai ^^^^^^S^ ^^^ g^'j zeal in the advancement of God's
word, hath, by the advice of the Council, specially appointed
you to preach one sermon before the King^s Majesty'^s per-
son the third Sunday of Lent, now coming. Wherefore I
pray you in the mean season to prepare yourself in a readi-
ness for the purpose, and to repair unto the Court against
the day appointed, to satisfy the office whereunto you are
called accordingly. Thus heartily fare ye well. From my
manor at Lambhith, the 17th of Februarii, anno 1548.
[1549.]

Your loving friend,

T. Cant-
exclude it from his Collection of Records, because, though written with
much good sense and piety, it was in very bad Latin. Many more of
Hills' Tetters are preserved at Zurich. Sol. Hess, MS, Catalogue of
Letters at Zurich.']
" [This is the Letter referred to by Strype, Life of Parker, p. 25.]

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1649.] LETTERS. 337

CCLXXVI. To Melancthonp.

Viro turn eruditione turn pietaie clarissimo D. Philippo

Melcmcihoni dentur hce littercB.
Yerissima esse experimur, Melancthon docfissime, quseEicopia
Dominus noster Jesus Christus dc cruce Ecclesiae suae prae-™*°".^""

, , ^ berti in

dixit ; sed ndelis est Deus, qui non patietur suos tentari MSS. vol.
supra id quod possunt, sed faciet una cum tentatione pro- ^^^^ '^^^^
ventum ut possimus sustinere. Etsi enim odio Filii Dei Argent
diabolus horribilem tyrannidem exercet in membra Christi,
tamen promisit Deus Ecclesiam suam non interituram esse.
Imo de ultimis temporibus diserte inquit : Ego senescentem
gestabo: egoferam: ego salvabo. Et semper Deus aliquas
politias voluit esse hospitia Ecclesiarum, et aliquot guberna-
tores fovere studiosos doctrinae coelestis, ut Abdias pavit au-
ditores Helise^quos Reges Israel undique pellebant. Quam-
obrem Tibi, seteme Pater Domini nostri Jesu Christi, in-
gentes ago gratias, quod insulam nostram non aliter quam
arcam Noae e fluctibus eripuisti, nobisque tales dederis gu-
bematores, qui Tui gloriam quaerunt, et suas sedes ditio-
nesque Ecclesiae et studiis patere cupiunt, ut olim viduae
Sareptanae casa praebebat hospitium Heliae. Oroque Deum^
ut nos regat, et colligat sibi inter nos perpetuam Ecclesiam,
non solum ex nostratibus, sed etiam ex peregrinis, id quod
facere pro sua immensa misericordia jam incepit.

Multi enim pii doctique viri ^ partim ex Italia, partim ex
Germania, ad nos convenerunt, et plures quotidie expecta-
mus, cujus ecclesiae chorum si ipse tua praesentia ornare et
augere nou gravaberis, baud scio qua ratione gloriam Dei
magis illustrare poteris. Scio te saepius optasse^", ut pii et
sapientes viri, communicato consilio et collatis sententiis,
gravi autoritate opus aliquod conderent, quqd praecipuas
materias ecdesiasticae doctrinae complecteretur, et veritatem
ad posteros incorruptam transmitteret. Hoc nos sedulo

P [This Letter, together with the reference in the margin, is printed
from a copy by Mr. Salomon Hess of a manascript at Zarich.]

^ [See Letters ccLXXii, cclxxiii. note (g).]

' [In a letter to Hen. VIII. of the 26th of March, 1539, Melancthon
had referred to his known wishes on this point in the following terms :

VOL. I. Z

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3S8 LETTERS- [1549.

pro virili conamur. Quare te rogamus, iit prsesens cum prse-
senfibus sententiam tuam et consilium commumces, et ne
animum ita obfirmes, ut tuis ipsius vods deesse, aut tain
manifeste Dei vocationi repugnare videaris. Plurima hoc
loco recensere poteram, quae te in nostram sententiam flec-
terent, sed ea omnia non capit epistolae brevitas. Proinde
ex hoc tabellario, D. Joanne a Lasco, viro optimo, ea te
cognoscere malim. Is enim mecum hosce aliquot menses
conjunctissime et amantissime vixit, cui in his, quae tibi meo
nomine narrabit, iidem adhibeas oro. Dominus noster Jesus
Christus, custos Ecclesise, qui dixit : Nemo rapiet oves meas
de manihis meis^ servet et defendat ministerium evangelii
sui, et te ad Ecclesise nostrffi hospitium tuto deducat. Vale.
Londini 10. Februarii 1549.

Tui ad nos accessus avidissimus

Thomas Cantuarienas.

Nostri Germani, qui nobiscum sunt, rogant, ut adducas
tecum Doctorem Albertum Hardenber^um % ut Jonas ^ re-
feret tibi nostro nomine.

CCLXXVII. To Maetin Bucbb.

C.C.C.C. Quanto dolore animum meum vulneraverit Fagii nostri

MSS. cxix.

p. 37. ** Opto, ut antea saepe scripsi, consensum pie doctrinae consdtui id iis

" ecclesiis omnibus, mis Homaui episcopi tyrannidem et impietatem
" damnant/' Strype, MemoriaUf vol. i. App. No. 101. Again in 1543 :
" Quod autem sspe optavi, ut aliquando auctoritate seu regum^ seu
*' aliorum piorum principum, convocati viri docti de controversiis om-
*' nibus libere colloquerentur, et relinauereut posteris firmam et perapi-
" cuam doctrinniDy idem adhuc opto/^ And not longer ago than Jan.
1548, he had written to Edward VI, praising his father's endeavours to
settle the controversies of the reformed churches, and adding ; ** Quod
** igitur in regno tuo deliberationes instituisti de ecclesiis, recte facis, et

" patemum exemplum iroitaris. Cavendum autem erit tibi in hac

'< emendatioue, ne prava ingenia corruptelas misce'ant. Ideo prudenter
'* et tus gentis hominuni et hospitum sensus atque opiniones conside-
<' rabis.'' Epist, lib. iii. 7. See Archbishop Lawrence, Bampton Xee-
tures, p. 223, who corrects the mistake of historians, in supposing the
plan to have originated with Cranmer.]

• [See Letter cclxxiii.]

* [This appears from Strype, Cranm. p. 407, to have been Justus
Jonas the younger.]

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1649.] LETTERS. 889

mors ", Bucere doctissime, non est nunc instituti mei nar-
rare, ne vulnus tuum jam (ut opinor) tum theologise tuse
medelis, tum ipso temporis progressu aliquo modo curatum,
refricare videar. Quin potius imprsesentiarum tecum com-
municare decrevi, quibus curationibus me ipsum consolatus
sum; non quod prudentia tua mea consolatione indigeat,
(novi enim animi tui moderationem et sequitatem) sed ut his
saepius repetendis et mecum revolvendis aegritudinem meam
quodammodo discuterem. Primum sic cogitabam, huma-
nuro quidem fuit, cum amicus noster gravi morbo diu mul-
tumque cniciaretur, erwjXTadiTv, condolere, et collachrymari.
Nunc vero, postquam omnibus miseriis defunctus, a bello ad
pacem, a fluctibus ad portum tranquillissimum, ab aerumnis
ad felicitatem perpetuam translatus est, illius statum de-
plorare, invidi esset, non amici. Sanctortim enim a/ninuB
in manu Dei sunt, et non tanget iHos tormentum. Et
Psalmista ait, Pretiosa est in conspectu Domini mors sanctO"
rum ejus. Quum enim Deum vera pietate hie noster colue-
rit, et contulit industriam et operam suam ad studia litera*
rum propaganda, nihil est causae cur non speremus, eum vi-
tam aeternam quam hie tanta diligentia inchoaverit, jam ago-
nothetae gratia, nactum esse. Optarem quidem (si sic Deo
placuisset) ut diutius in hoc curriculo nobiscum versari po-
tuisset. Sed quum benignis^mo Patri nostro visum sit, eum
in aliam meliorem et eruditiorem scholam evocare, debemus
ei gratulari, quod Paulus Fagius ad Christi et Divi Pauli
consuetudinem, et ad sanctissimum collegium Angelorum,
Prophetarum, et Apostolorum evocatus sit.

His aliisque rationibus ego animum jacentem excito, in-
ducoque in spem cogitationemque meliorem. Eas autem
ad te scribens commemoro, non quod tibi his opus sit, sed
potius, ut his similibusque fomentis dolores foeminae optimae
uxoris Fagii nostri lenias et mitiges. Et ne angoribus se
dedat ut horteris, magnopere a te peto quaesoque.

" Ploratur lacrymis amissa pecunia veris^"

** [Fagius (lied at Cambridge, where he was Professor of Hebrew, on
the 15th of Nov. 1549. Strype, Cranm. p. 197, who refers to this Let-
ter, but has not printed it.]

Z 2

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340 LETTERS. [1660.

dixit poeta quidatn. Quare ut hac in parte ego illam aliquo
pacto recrearcm, mitto ad earn per hunc tabellarium viginti
septem libras monetae nostratis. Quam quidem summam etsi
adhuc a quaestore regis pro stipendio Pauli Fagii non acce-
perim, brevi tamen me accepturum spero. Interim, ut vidus
dolorem aliquo modo levarem, de meo banc pecuniam nume-
rare visum est. Debebantur quidem illius marito pro stipendio
quinquaginta librae, sed tres decedunt a summapro impensis
in regia diplomata, &c. viginti autem a me numeratae sunt.
Quod tu adhuc literas a Regia Majestate commendatitias ad
AcademiamCantabrigiensem^et stipendium tuumin praesentia
non acceperis, imputabis non negligentiae meae, sed con^lia-
riorum et quaestorum fere omnium occupationibus, quos hoc
comitiorum ^ tempore publica negotia sic distrahtmt, ut pri-
vatas causes tractare non vacet. Interim tamen si quid de-
sideres, significcs oro, et ego omni cum diligentia illud ad te
mitti curabo. Vale. Lambethi, ultimo Novembris* [1649.]

Tuae patemitatis

amantissimus,

T. Cant.

CCLXXVIII. To VoYSEY, Bishop of Exetee.

Wilkius, After my hearty commendations ; the King'^s Mnyesty'^s

vol. it.' ' pleasure and high commandment to me is, that I shall, will,

p. 62, from and charge you to ascertain me the names of all such bene-

Regist. fices within your diocese, as at any time have been or yet be

ToHh' AY ^P'^P"^* ^^ whose hands and possession the same been,

0/ cvan- either in his Majesty or any his Grace^s subjects, with your

^^ °*' "■ ^rue certificate also of all vicarages endowed within your

said diocese, and of all other churches impropried, having

no vicarages endowed, being either served by a manuid

priest, or destitute of a curate, with the several values of

such vicarages and benefices, as nigh as you may ; fail you

not this to do with all celerity, as you tender the ac-

* [The Parliament met on the 4th of Noyember, 1549.]

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1550.] LETTERS. 841

complishment of his Grace^s pleasure. Fare you well.
From my manor of Lambehith, this xx. of Aprils anno
1650.

Your loving brother,

T. Cant.

CCLXXIX. To Mabtin Bucee y.

After my hearty salutations, right well beloved Master ^6r»^£:x-
Bucer; I have read that book which you have sent to?""^'**^'
Doctor Peter Alexander concerning the controversy betwixt Todd, Life
Master Hooper and the Bishop of London 2. In which »/^««-..
book many things are learnedly declared, and largely p. 3^9.
handled ; wherefore now^ I pray you, that you would send
unto me your judgment of these questions, expressed with
as short brevity of words as you can.

Whether, without the offence of Grod, it may be lawful to
the ministers of the Church of England to use those ves-
tures which at these days they wear, and so are prescribed
of the magistrate ?

Whether he that shall affirm that it is unlawful, or shall re-
fuse to wear this apparel, offendeth against God, for that he
sayeth that thing to be unclean that God hath sanctified ;
and offendeth against the magistrate, for that he disturbeth
the politic order ?

To these questions, if you will make most brief answer 2,

y [This Letter was written on^nally iu Latin, but the editor has not
been able to obtain a cop^ of it in that language. This translation is
taken from a pamphlet printed in 1554, entitled, A brief Examination
for the time of a certain aeclaration lately put in print, in the name and
defence of certain ministers of London refusing to wear the apparel pre-
scribed by the laws of the realm,']

* [See Burnet, Kef. vol. ii. p. 314; Strype, Cranm, p. 211; Memo-
rials, vol. ii. p. 284, and App. LL. MM. NN.]

* [The following was Bucer*s judgment :

1. " Qui jam ecclesiarum Anglicarum ministri sunt, eos sentio posse
<' vestibus illis, quarum hodie usus est, uti cum gratia Dei.

2. ** Mea est sententia, hausta, ut credo, ex divinis literis : eos, oui
'* dicunt vestibus de quibus agitur quovis modo uti, etiam eo quem de-
" scripsi, nefes esse, ad minimum errare; et hoc eo, quod negant sane-
<< tificatis sancta esse omnia. Idem affirmo de iis, qui ex eadem causa
** vestibus illis nolunt uti." But he added, ^^ Cum constet hodie, vestes

z 3

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842 LETTERS. [1551.

and send unto me your judgment as soon as jou may poe-
^bly, you shall do me great pleasure ; Grod be with you.
From Lambeth, the second of December. [1550.]

CCLXXX. To Matthew Parker.

C.C.C.C. I commend me heartily unto you ; and whereas the Eing*s
p. 3^*,. ' Majesty, by the advice of his most honourable Council, hath
stiype, appointed you to preach one sermon before his Highness^
Pm-ker p^rsou at the Court, upon Sunday the 9StP^ of March next
p- 38- coming, being the sixth Sunday in Lent, and hath commanded
me to signify unto you his Grace^s pleasure in this behalf;
these therefore shall be to require you to put yourself in a
readiness in the meantime to satisfy the day and place to
you appointed, according to the Eing^s Majesty^s expecta-
tion, and not to fail in any wise. Thus heartily fare ye
well. From my manor at Lambeth^ the xiith of February
1550. [1551.]

Your loving friend,

T. Cant.
To my loving friend^ Mr. Doctor
Parker.

CCLXXXI. To Cecil b.

Ball. Coll. After my very hearty commendations. Whereas the

Libr. Ardi. bearer hereof, Mr. Coverdale, Bishop Elect of Exeter, is now

through in all matters to the consecration, save only in doing

his homage and in the dispatch of his first fruits ^ : these

" has esse occasioni aliis ad superstitioneni, oiiis ad perniciosam con-
" tentionem, pnestare eas toliere." His answer may be read at length
in his Scripta Anglica, p. 681. And there is a letter to Hoper on the
same subject, ibid. p. 705.]
»> [The authority for this Letter is a copy in Strype's handwriting,

Preserved with otlier manuscript additions to his LifeofCranmer 'in the
ibrary of Balliol College, Oxford.]

c [He was discharged from tlie payment of first fruits on account of
his poverty. Strype, Cranm. p. 267 ; Memorials, vol. ii. p. 687.]

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1651.] LETTERS. 843

shall be heartily to deare, that, in consideration of his long
attendance and of the great lack that the West parts have
of him, you will show him your accustomable favour and
help at this present : that by your procurement he may the
sooner take his oath, and have your gentle assistance for the
obtaining of his suit concerning the first fruits. For I mind,
by God^s grace, the 30th day of this month, to accomplish
the King'^s Majesty^s mandate concerning the consecration
of him and of the Bishop of Rochester <l. And thus I bid
you most heartily well to fare. From my manor at Croy-
don, the 23d of August 1662. « [1661.]

Your loving friend,

T. Cant^
To the Right Worshipful and my very
good friend^ Mr. William Cecily one
of the King's Majesty's two prin-
cipal Secretaries.

CCLXXXII. To Cecil, or Cheke.

After my very hearty commendations ; these be to signify strype,
unto you, that Rayner Wolf, at my desire, hath fully ^'■^'***^»
finished the printing of my book, tor answer to the late ' 62. from
Bishop of Winchester^ written against mine of the doctrine Sf ?^;
of the sacrament. And forasmuch as both printing andMSS.
selling of any matters in the English tongue b prohibited by
a proclamation set forth, unless the same matter be first al-
lowed by the King^s Majesty, or six of his Majesty's Privy
Council, as you shall more plainly perceive by the procla-
mation, which herewith I send unto you: therefore I
heartily pray you to be a suitor to the King^s Majesty, or

^ [John Scory ; who, according to Cranmer's intention, was con-
secrated with Coverdde at Croydon on the 30th of Aug. 1551. Strype,
Cranm. p. 271.]

« [This is the date in Strype*s copy, but the passages referred to in
the preceding notes prove clearly that it must be an error for 1551.]

^ [Gardyner was deprived on the 14t]i of Feb. 1551. Foxe, Acts, Sfc
vol. li. p. 738.]

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844 LETTERS. [1561.

to the Privy Council^ that Mr. Rayner may have license
for the printing and selling of my sfud book accordingly ;
and the same so obtained to send me with convenient speed.
For in the be^nning of the term I think it were very ne-
cessary to be set forth, for the contentation of many which
have had long expectation of the same. As soon as I shall
receive advertisement, when the King's Majesty will be at
Hampton Court, I will come thither to see his Grace, and
do my duty towards the same. Thus fare ye heartily welL
From my manor at Croydon, the xxix. of September, 1551.

Your loving friend,

T. Cant.
To my very loving friends, Mr. Cecill,

one of the Kin^s Majesty's two

principal Secretaries. Or to Mr.

Cheeke.

CCLXXXIII. TOBULLINGEEI?.

Eximio Viro D. Hemricho Btdlingeroj TigurUuB EccUsico
Ministrojidelissitno, dentur hcB litter (B.

In Archie. S. P. Quod ad litteras tuas Tiguri datas 24 Februarii,
^L^utTfra^ P^^ annum respondeo, imputabis partim occupationibus
originaii. meis, partim indiligentias cuidam mese in hoc oflSdi genere,
viL put™ quam in me hserere ingenue confiteor. Sed quia prsestat
P"5^^- P^fi^- sero quam nunquam officium facere, nunc ad omnia accipies
ten. B. [responsum].

EKias apud ne causas agis, publicam et privatam. Quod
ad publicam attinet ^, nempe ut consultor esse velim, ne
Hegia Majestas legatum ad Concilium Tridentinum ' mit-
teret, non fuit opus me consultore ad dissuadendum ab eo,
quod nunquam illi in menteYn venit, sed potius consilium
dandum esse duxi, ut quemadmodum adversarii nostri nunc

i [Printed from Mr.SalomoD Hess's copy of the manuscript at Zuricli.]
*» [Bullinger wrote also to Henry Grey, Marquis of Dorset, on the

same subject, in March 1551. See Strype, Memorials, vol. ii. p. (S54.)]
• [Several of the German protestant states sent delegates to Trent in

1551 and 1552. See Burnet, Ref. vol. ii. pp. 386. 434. J

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1662.] LETTERS. 846

Tridenti habent sua concilia ad errores confirmandos ; ita
ejus pietas auxilium suum'prsebere dignaretur^ ut in Anglia,
aut alibi^ doctissimorum et optimorum virorum Synodus con-
vocaretur^ in qua de puritate ecclesiastics^ doctrinal et
prfiecipue de consensu controverase sacramentariae tracta-
retur. Ad quod institutum (quia reipublicae Christianse
utilissimum esse judicavit) animum Majestatis illius ad-
modum propensum esse sensi. Quare mm est nobis com-
mittendum^ ut Ecclesiae Dei in re tarn ardua deesse velimus.
Scripsi hac de re ad D. Philippum^ et ad D. Calvinum \
oroque ut consultetis, qua ratione Synodus haec aut in
Anglia, aut alibi congregari commodissime possit.

Privata causa, de qua ad me scripsisti, fuit, ut controvert
siam inter D. I^ndinens^n et D. Hoperum, Gloucestreneem
componerem, de qua nunc nimis serum est respondere.
Nam diu abbinc ^ audisse te sat sdo controversiam iUam
compositam et penitus sublatam fuisse. Et D. Hoperus ea
estapud nos sestimatione, ut Wigomiensis Episcopus jam sit
designatus^ et hoc tempore, quo comitia apud nos Londini
congregantur, in sedibus meis mecum conjunctissime viyit
Dominus Jesus Spiritu suo sancto te gubemet et tueatur.
Vale. Lambethi, 20 Martii, 1662 "".

Tuse paternitatis Studiosissimus,

Thomas Cantuariensis.

k [See Letters cclxxxiv, cclxxxv.]

1 fThe news had been communicated both by Peter Martyr and
Hoper himself. Hoper was consecrated Bishop of Gloucester, accord-
ing to the usual form, in March 1551, and on the deprivation of Hethe,
in Oct. of the same year, was appointed to the see of Worcester, which
he held in coimnendam. Strype, Cranm. pp. 216. 218. Hess, MS. Cata-
logue of Letters at Zurich.]

^ [Strype and Mr. Todd appear to limit Cranmer's exertions for a
union of tlie reformed Churches, to the period between 1548 and 1550.
Archbishop Lawrence extends them to 1551. (Strype, Cranm. pp. 208.
407, &c. ; Todd, Life of Cranm. vol. ii. p. 221 ; Lawrence, Bampton
Lectures, p. 224.]) But it is clear, from this and the following Letters,
that they were still continued in the following yew. The hope, which
the Archbishop so long cherished, of succeedmg in this design, may
perhaps have been one reason for his allowing five years to elapse,
without any formal Declaration of Faith on the part of the En^ish
Church. For he must of course have felt, that the publication of a se-
parate Formulary would add to the difficulties of agreeing on a joint
one. Sec Preface.]

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846 LETTERS. 15558.

CCLXXXIV. To Calvin n.

Th. Cranmerus Caivino.

Arch. Eccl. S. P. Ut nulla res Ecclesias magis dissipat, quam hcereses

3?f . et dissidia circa doirmata reliirionis. ita nihil efficacius Eccle-

Opera, sias Dei congregat et potentius ovile Chnsti munit, quam

^68 A ^ t ^^^^"'up^ Evangelii doctrina et dogmatum consensus.

1667. Quare ssepius optavi atque etiamnum opto, ut docti et pii

viri, qui alios antecellunt eruditione et judicio^ in tutum

aliquem locum convenirent, ubi communicato conalio et

collatis sententiis, capita omnia ecclesiasticse doctrinae trac-

tarent, et non solum de rebus ipsis, sed edam de formis

loquendiy gravi autoritate opus aliquod posteritati traderent.

Adversarii nostri habent nunc Tridenti sua concilia, ut

errores stabiliant, et nos piam Synodum congr^are n^i-

gemus, ut errores refutare^ dogmata repurgare et propagare

possimus ? Illi Trepl 1^9 ipToXaTp€Cas (ut audio) decreta con-

dunt^'^ quare nos omnem lapidem movere debemus, non

solum ut alios adversus banc idololatriam muniamus, sed

etiam ut ipsi in doctrina hujus sacramenti oonsentiamus.

Quantum Ecclesiam Dei labefactarint drca hoc unitatis

sacramentum dissensiones et opinionum varietates, pruden-

tiam tuam latere non potest : quae etsi nunc alicubi sublatss

sint, tamen in hac doctrina consensionem optarem, non

solum de rebus ipsis, sed etiam de verbis et loquendi for-

mulis. Habes meum votum, de quo eUam scripsi ad D.

Philippum et ad D. BuUingerum, oroque ut vos inter vos

deliberetis, qua ratione Synodus haec congregari commo-

dissime possit P. Vale. Lambethi, 20 Mart. 1552.

Prater tuus in Christo carissimus,

Th. Cantuariends.

'^ rPiiDted from Mr. Salomon Hess's copy of the manuscript at Zurich.]
° rSee Letter cclxxxiii. The decree of the Council of Trent on the
Lord's Supper^ was passed on the lltli of October 1551. Sleidan, De
StaU Rel. hb. 33.]

P [A letter is printed among Calvin's works, which is clearly an an-
swer to this proposal of Cranmer, though Archbishop Lawrence has
followed Beza in assigning it to the preceding year. It begins : ** Tu
'' quidem, illustrissime Domine, vere et prudenter in hoc tam confuso
** Ecclesis statu nullum aptius afferri posse remedium judicata quam si

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1552.]

LETTERS. 847

^< inter se conveniant pii, cordati, et in Dei schola probe exercitati ho-
^< mines, qui suum in pietatts doctrina consensual profiteantur." After
mentioning the arts of the papists, and the intemperance of some re-
formers, be declares, that those who are in authonty must not be idle,
since God ** eosdem sibi destinavit ministros, quorum opera sanam in
** Ecclesia doctrinam ab omnibus corruptelis purget, ac incolumem ad
«< posteros transmittat. Tibi prssertim, omaUssime Prssul, quo altiore
** in specula sedes, in banc curam, ut facis, incumbere necesse est.
'* Quod non ideo dico, quasi tibi addendum esse novum calcar existi-
** mem ; qui non modo sponte prsecurris, sed aliis auoque instas volun-
'^ tarius hortator : verum ut te in tarn fausto pneclaroque studio, mea
" gratulatione confirmem.*' Shortly afterwards he says : ** Deinde scio
** non ita unius Angliae haberi abs te rationem, qnin orbi simul universo
" consnlas. Regis serenissimi non modo generosa indoles, sed rara
** etiam pietas merito exosculanda, quod sanctum consilium de habendo
** ejusroodi conventu favore suo prosequitur, et locum in regno suo of-
'' fert. Atoue utinam iropetrari posset, ut in locum aliauem docti et
'* graves vin ex praecipuis Ecclebiis coirent, ac singulis ndei capitibus
'^ diligenter excussis, de communi omnium sententia certum posteris
** traderent doctrinam." He then declares in strong terms his zeal for the
completion of the work, but enlarges on its difficulties, and excuses
himself from lending his assistance. *' Quantum ad me attinet,'' he
says, '' si quis mei usus fore videbitur, ne decern quidem maria, si opus

*' sit, ob eam rem trajicere pigeat." *' Verum tenuitatem meam rao-

** turam spero, ut mini parcatur. Si votis proseauar quod ab aliis sus-
** ceptum erit, partibus meis defunctus ero. D. Pbilippus [Melancthon]
** longius abest, quam ut ultro citroque commeare brevi tempore litene
'< quean t. D. Builingerus tibi forte jam rescripsit. Mihi utinam par
** studii ardori suppeteret facultas.'' He appears to have received soon
afterwards an announcement from Cranmer, that the scheme was relin-
quished, and that it was now resolved to draw up a separate Confes-
sion of Faith for the Church of England. For he commences another
letter thus : '^ Quando hoc tempore minime spemndum fuit, quod
*' maxime optandum erat, ut ex diversis ecclesiis, quae puram Evangelii
'< doctrinam amplexae sunt, convenirent pnecipui quique doctores, ac ex
** puro Dei verbo certam de singulis cayitibus hodie controversis ac di-
'^ lucidam ad posteros confessionem ederent : consilium quod cepisti,
'< reverende Domine, vehementer laudo, ut mature apud se religionem
^* Angli constituant ; ne diutius rebus incertis vel minus rite compositis
** quum decebat,suspensi hsreant plebis animi.'' He then urges the Arch-
bishop to complete the reformation, thinking, as it appears, that the spur
which he had before said was not needed, might now be administered
with advantage. He complains particularly of the want of efficient
pastors. ** Id quominus nat, occultis quidem artibus obsistit Satan.
** Unum tamen apertum obstaculum esse inteliii^o, quod prasds expositi
<< sunt Ecclesis reditus. Malum sane intolerabile. Sed pneter illam
" dissipationem, quae nimis crassa est : non multo lenius mihi Tidetur
^ aliud vitium, quod ex publico Fcclesis proventu aluntur otiosi ven-
'^ tres, qui lingua incognita vesperas cantillent.'' He had already made
a similar complaint respecting the revenues of the Church to the Pro-
tector Somerset, in a letter dated the 35th of July 1551, which is printed
by Strype. See Calvin, Epitt. pp. 134 and 135. (Genev. 1616.) Law-
rence, bampton Lectures, p. S24 ; Strype, Cranmer, App. No. 58.]

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348 LETTERS. [1558.

CCLXXXV. To MELANCTHONq.

Doctissimo viro et amico suo singtdari D, Philippo Mc-
Icmcthofii dentur hcB Uttered

ExEpistolis Legimus in Actis Apostolorum, cum orta esset contro-

"^ ^Jiss* ^^™*j ^" " 9"^ ^^ gentibus conversi fuerant ad Deum,

inBibl. adigendi essent ad circumcisionein et observatioDem \egks

tcri Past" MosaicsB, convenissc Apostolos ac presbyteros ut dispice^

ID KAss- rent de hoc negotio, et coUatis inter se sententiis, decretum

Tigur. ConcUii sui epistola scripta edidisse. Hoc exemplum utinam

et nos imitaremur, in quorum Ecclesiis Evangelii doctrina

restituta et repurgata est. Etsi autem omnes contro-

versiae in hoc mundo non possint dirimi, (quia pars inimica

veritati, non adsentitur judido Eccleaae) tamen optandum

est, ut verse Ecclesise membra de prsecipuis ecclesiastics

doctrinse capitibus inter se consentirent.

Quantum autem Ecclesiam dilacerarint dissensiones re-
ligionis, maxime in causa sacramentaria, prudentiam tuam
latere non potest, quae si antea compositae fuissent, nunquam
(opinor) Caesar bellum vobis intulisset. Et dolendum sane
est, sacramentum unitatis invidia diaboli factam esse escam
dissidii, et veluti iir(Kov ipiJbos '• Quare optarem, ut ii qui
alios antecellunt eruditione et judicio, exemplo Apostolorum
congregarentur, et sententiam tum de aliis capitibus con*
troversis, tum de hac controversia mutuum exponerent, et
consensum edito in publicum scripto testarentur. Sed for-
tasse dices : Idem et ego saepissame optavi > ; verum haec
res sine principum ope ad effectum deduci non potest. Ego
igitur hac de re cum Regia Majestate. . .t, quae Angliam suam
vobis apertam esse vult, et ad hos pios conatus non solum
locum tutum et quietem, verum etiam operam et auxilium
suum benignissime pollicetur. Scripsi etiam ad D. Calvinum
et ad D. Bullingerum, eosque hortatus sum, ne operi tam
necessario, adeoque utili reipublicae Christianae deesse vel-

<i [Printed from Mr. Salomon Uess'scopy of the raaouscjipt at Zurich.]

' See Letter cclxxiii. note (n).]

• See Letter cclxxvi. note (r).]

' [Something seems to be omitted here.]

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1662.] LETTERS. 840

lent. In proximis ad me litteris scripflisti Areopagitas Con-
cilii Tridentini ir^pl rr^ ifyrokarp^Cas decreta condere. Quare
cum adversarii Evangelii tanto studio conveniunt ad errores
stabiliendos, non est nobis committendum, ut illi sint diligen-
tiores ad confirmandam impietatem, quam nos ad piam
doctrinam propagandam et illustrandam.

Amori meo erga D. Georgium Majorem^, quern merita
illius apud me pepererunt, magnam accessionem attulit
commendatio tua, cui si qua in re gratificari potero^ citius
facultatem quam voluntatem mihi deesse experietur. Bene
et feliciter vale. Lambethi, 27 Martii a. 1662.

Tui aliquando videndi cupidissimus,

T. Cantuariens.

CCLXXXVI. To King Edward VI ».

Thomas Caniuariensis Archiepiscopus R. Edwardo VI.
Gratia et pax a Deo Poire et Domino nostro Jesu
Christo.

Etsi prudenter moneat HoraUus, illustrissime Princeps, Bod). Libr.

Smith's

** Qualem oommendes etiam atque etiam adspice^ ne mox MSS.
" Incutiant aliena tibi peccata pudorem :" J*^*' ^*

tamen quum D. Radulphus Chevalaerus « Callus me orave-

' [A life of this Wittemberg Professor will be found in Melcliior
Adam, Vite Theol. He gave offence to some of his brethren, by the
unguarded terms in which he insisted on the necessity of good works.]

" [A note on the manuscript in the Bodleian Library states that it was
copied " ex autographo.*']

' [Rafe Cavelarius or Cavalier, otherwise called Mr. Anthony, a na-
tive of France, assisted Tremellius in reading Hebrew lectures at Cam-
bridge : for which he had a ^rant to be a h^e denixen, and to enjoy '
the advowson of a prebend m Canterbury. The grant was dated in
August 1552. Under Elizabeth he was again in England, and beine ap-
pointed, by means of Sir Anthony Cook and Sir William Cecil, Professor
of Hebrew at Cambridge, was sent down there in 1569, with a letter of
recommendation from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop
of London, (Parker and Grindal.) In the same year he was admitted
to the seventh prebend in the Church of Canterbury. He is supposed
to have died in Guernsey in 1572. Strvpe, MemoriaUy voL ii. pp. 307,
531 ; Annalty vol. I p. 567, and App- No. 41 ; Life of Parker, p. 366.]

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860 LETTERS. [165«.

lit, ut aditum aliquem ad gratiam tuam comroendatione
mea illi aperirem, non potui juveni optimo hoc officii
denegare, turn quod is olim a pise memorise viro D. Bucero
commendatus mihi fuerat ; turn quod hoc merentur singu-
laris ejus modestia et eruditio, quae domestica consuetudine
mihi cognita et explorata sunt. Nam annum integrum aut
amplius domi mese vixit, ubi eximiae pietatis et ingenii ex-
cellentis plurima documenta dedit; postea Cantabrigiam
profectus, Hebraicas literas, non sine magna auditonim laude
et utilitate, gratis professus est. Victum autem non aliunde
habety quum ex me et Domino Eliensi 7 Cancellario, qui pro
facultatibus nostris annuum quoddam sUpendium illi nu-
meramus. Sed quum nunc tanta sit temporum iniquitas ut
omnia fere duplo carius quam antea veneant, necessitas
eum cogit ad tuam Majestatem omnium pioruro et erudito-
rum asylum confugere, et a tua benignitate subsidium pe-
tere. Nihil attinet me plura scribere, cum norim volunta-
tem Majestatis vestra; erga pios et doctos esse benigniasi-
mam: tantum significare volui D. Radulphum in talium
catalogo esse numerandum, illud obsecrans ut ad eam vo-
luntatem quam sua sponte M. T. erga Radulphum propter
prseclaras illius dotes habitura esset, aliquis cumulus acce-
daty quod peregrinus sit: nam. de talibus diserte dicit
Moses, Deus amat peregrinumf et dot ei victum et vesti-
tumj et vos ergo amate peregrinos. Debent vero prse aliis
hi qui Dii in Scripturis dicuntur, Deum in hoc pietatis
genere imitari, et ad illius ^militudinem quam proxime
accedere. Quod si curarit Majestas tua, Dominus noster
Jesus Christus (qui sibi acceptum fert quod hospitibus
datur) non solum in hac vita te gubernabit, et mansionem
apud te fadet, sed et hac vita defunctum in setema sua
tabemacula introducet, et pro regno temporario perpetuum
daturus est. [1552.]

Serenissimse tuse

Majestatis famulus,
T. Cant

y [Thomas Goodrich, Bishop of Ely, was sworn in as Lord Chan-
cellor on the 83nd of Jan. 1553. Stow, Annak.]

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1652.] LETTERS. 351

CCLXXXVII. To Cecil.

After my most hearty commendations and thanks, asStrype,
well for your gentil letters, as for the copy of the Pacifi- ^pp J}^*
cation x, and for your good remembrance of the two matters, 67. ffom
which I desired you not to forget, the one concerning thenicks's*
B. of Colen'*s^ letters, and the other, Mr. Mowse^: for^^S.
whom eftsoons I give you my most hearty thanks.

As for your admonition, I take it most thankfully, as I
have ever been most glad to be admonished by my friends,
accounting no man so foolish as he that will not hear
friendly admonishments. But as for the saying of S. Paul
Qui volunt ditescercj incidunt in tentatianem, I fear it not
half so much, as I do stark beggary. For I took not half
so much care for my living, when I was a scholar of Cam-
bridge, as I do at this present. For although I have now
much more revenue, yet I have much more to do withal :
and have more care to live now as an archbishop, than I
had at that time to live like a scholar. I have not so much
as I had within ten years passed by 150L of certain rent,
beside casualties. I pay double for every thing that I buy.

* y [Tlie Pacification of Passau^ which secured to the German pro-
testants liberty of worship for the present, and which laid the founda^
tion of the definitive peace of religion agreed on in 1555, was concluded
on the 31st of July 1552. The paper here alluded to seems to have
been a draft for it. See Letter cclxxxix. Sleidan, De Statu Relig, lib.
xxiv.]

* [See Letter cclxxiii. note (k.) " What the contents of these let-
'^ ten of the Archbishop of Cologne were, it appeareth not : but I am
'^ verj apt to think the purport of them was, that Cranmer should
*' solicit some certain business in the English court relating to the
*' affairs of religion in Germany, and for the obtaining some favour from
•* the King in that cause.'' Strype, Cranm, p. 286.]

* [Master of Trinity Hall Cambridge. See a memoir of him in Strype,
Cranm. p. 400. " He seemed," says that writer, " to be none of the
** steadiest in his religion." And the charge is fully proved. For
<' upon the first tidings that fled to Cambridge of Queen Mary's success
^* against the Lady Jane's party, he with several other temporising uni-
" versity men, changed his religion, and in four and twenty hours was
" both protestant and papist.". . /* And when the next change happened
^ under Queen Elizabetli, Mowse came about again, and in the year
** 1560, obtained a prebend in the church of York. He lived till the
« year 1588." Strype, ibid.]

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862 LETTERS. [1562.

If a good auditor have this account, he shall find no great
surplusage to wax rich upon ^.

And if I knew any bishop that were covetous, I would
surely admonish him, but I know none, but all beggars,
except it be one <^, and yet I dare well say he is not very
rich. If you know any, I beseech you to advertise me, for
peradventure I may advertise him better than you. To be
short, I am not so doted to set my mind upon things here,
which neither I can carry away with me, nor tarry long
with them. If time would have served, I would have
written of other things unto you, but your servant making
haste, compelleth me here to cut off the thread ; beseeching
Almighty God to preserve the King'^s Majesty with all his
Council and family, and send him well to return from his
progress <*. From my manor of Croydon, the xxi. of July.

Your own ever,

T. Cant.

To my loving friend Sir William
Cycil, one of the King's Majesty's
principal Secretaries.

CCLXXXVIII. To Cecil.

Strypc, Though in England there be many meet men for the

ApIT^' Archbishoprics of Ireland, yet I know very few that will

*> [See an entertaining narrative of the mode adopted by Henry VIII.
for refuting an accusation of covetousness brought against the Archbishop
by Sir Thomas Seymour, in Strype, Cranm. p. 433. Tlie complaint of
poverty which Cranmer here makes, is strongly supported by the fre-
quent mention of debts which occurs in his Letters, and by the account
given by Strype of the manner in which the see of Canterbury was
eeced by Henry VIII. Cranmer, pp. «81. 434j
^ [Probably Robert Holgate, Archbishop of York. '* In this month
« of May [1553] did Holgate Archbishop of York, the only wealthy
" bishop then in England, bestow some part of his wealth very com-
^ mendably, for the benefit of bis successors in that see. For he made
^ purchase ^om the King of the lordship and manor of Scroby." Strype,
Memorialtf vol. ii. p. 403.]

^ [*' To divert the King after the loss of his uncle, whom he dearly
'^ loved, Northumberland took him in progress in the summer of this
<< year." [1553.] Stirpe, Cranm. p. 379. On the 30th of July he was
at Petworth. Edw. Vl's Journal.]

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1562.] LETTERS. SfiS

gladly be persuaded to go thither. Nevertheless I have 65. from
sent unto you the names of four, viz. Mr. Whiteheade of ^icKes^s
Hadley, Mr. Toumer of Canterbury, Sir Thomas Rosse, MSS.
and Sir Robert Wisdome^. Which being ordinarily called,
I think for conscience sake will not refuse to bestow the
talent committed unto them, wheresoever it shall please the
King'^s Majesty to appoint them. Among whom I take
Mr. Whiteheade for his good knowledge, special honesty,
fervent zeal, and politic wisdom, to be most meet. And
next him Mr. Tourner, who, besides that he is merry and
witty withal, nihil appetite nihil ardety nihil aomniaty nisi
Jesum Christum ; and in the lively preaching of him and
bis word declareth such diligence, faithfulness, and wisdom,
as for the same deserveth much commendation. There is
also one Mr. Whitacre f, a man both wise and well learned,
chaplain to the Bishop of Winchester, very meet for that
office^ if he might be persuaded to take it upon him.

I pray you commend me unto Mr. Cheke, and declare
unto him, that mine ague, whether it were a quotidian, or
a double tertian (whereof my physicians doubted) hath left
me these two days, and so I trust I am quit thereof:
notwithstanding my water keepeth still an high colour.
Now the most danger is, that if it come again this night, it
is like to turn to a quartan. However the matter chance,
the most grief to me is, that I cannot proceed in such mat-
ters as I have in hand, according to my will and desire.
This terrenum domiciRum is such an obstacle to all good
purposes. Forasmuch as I perceive that the King^s Ma-
je8ty'*8 progress is altered, I pray you send me the gests of
the latter end of his progress, from this time unto the end,
that I may from time to time know where his Majesty
shall be ; whom I beseech Almighty God to preserve and

^ [Memoirs of all these divines will be found in Strj^pe, Cranm.
p. 974, &c. Respecting Thomas Rosse, see also Letter xcviii.]

f [« I suppose this might be a slip of the Archbishop's pen or
*' memory, writing Whitacre for Goodacre, who afterwards was placed
" in that Irish see, [Armagh,] and had been Poynet's chaplain." Strype,
Craivner, p. 274. Some further account of him will be found, ibid. p.
978. See also Pkamije, vol. i. p. 131.]

VOL. I. A a

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354

LETTERS.

[1662.

prosper in all bis afiPairs, with bis most honourable Council
and all his Court. From my manor of Croydon, the xxvth.
of August^ 1662.

Your own assured^

T. Cant.
To my very loving friend Sir William
Cecyl, knight^ one of the King's
Majesty's principal Secretaries.

CCLXXXIX. To Cecil.

Stiype, After my very hearty commendations ; I thank you for

Crtmm^r^ your news, but specially for that ye advertise me that the
io6. from King^s Majesty is in good health ; wherein I beseech Grod
HU^s*!! '^"8 ^ continue his Highness, as he hath twice (as I trust)
MSS. restored me to the same.

It seemeth by your letters, that a peace should be con-
cluded betwixt the Emperor and Duke Morrise, which,
whether it be according to the articles that afore ye sent
unto meS, or otherwise, I would gladly understand.

The commodity that might arise by printing the Book of
Common Prayer and Administration of Sacraments in the
French tongue, (if any be,) I reckon it were meet that it
should come to them which have already taken pains in
translating the same; which was first done by Sir Hugh
PaulleOs ^ commandment, and overseen by my Lord Chan-
cellor i, and other at his appointment : and now altered ac-
cording to that which must be put in execution at the feast
of All Saints next '^, at the appointment of my Lord Chan-
cellor, by a learned Frenchman, a doctor in divinity. And
therefore needless of any other to be traviuled in. Aug. 26,
1662.

% [See Letter cclxxxviiJ

h [Governor of Calais. Strype.l

* [lliomas Goodrich, Bishop of Ely.]

^ [This was the second Service Book of Edward VI, which was or-
dered, by Act of Parliament, to be every where used on the AH Saints
day following. A translation of the Jirst Book, it seems, had been

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1662.] LETTERS. SB5

CCXC. To Cecil.

After my very hearty recommendations ; now at the last, Strype,
against his will, Turner * is come up unto the Court. He ^V^^'^
preached twice in the camp that was by Canterbury " ; for 66. from
the which the rebels would have hanged him : and he seemed Hickea^
then more glad to go to hanging, than he doth now to go ^^^'
to Armachane, he alleged so many excuses, but the chief is
this, that he shall preach to the walls and stalls, for the
people understand no English. I bear him in hand. Yes,
and yet I doubt whether they speak English in the diocese
of Armachane. But if they do not, then I say, that if he
will take the pain to learn the Irish tongue, (which with
diligence he may do in a year or two) then both his person
and doctrine shall be more acceptable not only unto his
diocese, but also throughout all Ireland ". I commit him
to your cure, praying you to help him to have as ready a
dispatch as may be, for he hath but a little money,

I have sent the book of Articles for Religion o unto Mr.
Cheke, set in a better order than it was, and the titles upon
every matter, adding thereto that which lacked. I pray
you consider well the Articles with Mr. Cheke, and whether
you think best to move the Eing^s Majesty therein before
my coming ; I refer that unto your two wisdoms.

I pray you let me have your advice unto whom I might
best write concerning Rayner Wolfe P; for I wot not to
whom I might write, but to my Lord of Northumberland.
The everliving God ever preserve you in this life, and in

already published for the use of Calais, Jersey, and Guernsey; but it
was now of course necessary to print a new edition containing the lust
corrections. This was not completed till 1553. See Strype, Cranm,
p. 290.]

* [See Letter cclxxxviii.]

" [During the insurrection in 1549. See Strype, Cranm. p. 275.]
» frumer after all did not go to Ireland : and the Archbishopric
of Armagh was conferred on Hugh Goodacre. See Letter cclxxxvui.
» [The Forty Two Articles of 1552. See Strype, Cranm. p. 272.]
P [See Letter cclxxxii ; and Strype, Annals, vol. ii. p. 357.]

Aa2

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356 LETTERS. [1552.

the life to come. From Croydon, the xixth of September.
[1562.]

Your assured friend,

T. Cant.

To my loving friend Sir William
Cecyl, Knight^ one of the King's
Majesty his principal Secretaries.

CCXCI. To Cecil.

Strype, After my very hearty recommendations, and do less

App?No. ^'^^"'^s for your friendly letters and advertisements; be

107. from you assured, that I take the same in such part, and to pro-

Hickes's ceed of such a friendly mind, as I have ever lo(dced for at

Mss. yQu,. hands. Whereof I shall not be unmindful, if oocasi<Hi

of Cranm, hereafter shall serve to requite the same. I have writt«i

Tol. ii. p. letters unto my Lord of Northumberland, declaring unto

him the cause of my stay in the commission^; which is,

because that all the gentlemen and justices of the peace of

Kent, which be in commission with me, be now at London :

before whose coming home, if I should proceed without

them, I might perchance travail in vain, and take more

pain than I should do good. I have written also unto

him in the favour of Michael Angelo ^ : whose cause I pray

you to help so much as lieth in you.

The Sophy and the Turk, the Emperor and the French
Kings (not much better in religion than they) rolling the

^ [This was a commission *< for inquiry after such as had em-
<< bezzled the plate and ^oods belonging to cbauutries, &c. given by
<< the parharoent to the King, and converting them to their own uses.
'< But this being somewhat an odious work, lie was not very forward to
" enter upon, especially because he thought, whatsoever he and the
'< other conunissioners should recover, would be but swallowed up by
" the Ouke of Northumberland and his friends.'' Strype, Croitim,
p. 292.]

^ p< The minister of the Italian piotestant Church in London.''
Todd, IJft of Cranmer^

' [Henry II. King of France, and the Sultan Solyman, were at this
time acting in concert against the Emperor. See Turner, Modem Hist.
of England,]

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1562.] LETTERS. 867

stone, or turning the wheel of fortune up and down, I pray
God send us peace and quietness with all realms, as well as
among ourselves ; and to preserve the Eing^s Majesty, with
all his Council. Thus fare you well. From my house of
Forde, the xx. day of November, Anno 1662.

Your assured,

T. Cant.
To my loving friend Sir William Cecil,
Knight, and Secretary to the King's
Majesty.

CCXCII. To THE LOEDS OF THE CoUNClL.

After my very humble recommendations unto your good stiype.
Lordships; I have sent unto the same the book of Articles ^?JJ^'^
which yesterday I received from your lordships. I have 64. from
sent also a cedule enclosed, declaring briefly my mind upon Hicke^s
the said book : beseeching your lordships to be means unto ^S^*
the King^s Majesty, that all the bishops may have authority ^y?^i-f^^*
from him, to cause all their preachers, archdeacons, deans, mer, vol. ii.
prebendaries, parsons, vicars, curates, with all their clergy, ^' *^
to subscribe to the said Articles ". And then I trust, that

' rThe Forty Two Articles mentioned above, p. 355.]
^ [It dues not appear that any such authority as Cranmer here applied
for, was given before June in the following year, when a letter from the
King was sent to the bishops, willing and exhorting them to subscribe
these Articles, and observe them m their preachings, readings, and
teachings, and also to cause them to be subscribed and observed of all
other, which do or hereafter shall preach or read within their dioceses.
Those who being beneficed, not only refused to set their hands to them,
but also obstinately exhorted their parishioners to withstand the same,
were to be reported to the Council. And those who were presented to
any ecclesiastical office, were to be refused admission to it, unless they
subscribed. A mandate in accordance with this letter was issued
in the King's name on the 19lh of June, 1553, re<juiring all rectors,
iricars, &c. to appear before their ordinary at a certain time, ** his, que
** tunc eis ex parte nostra fuerint significanda, humiliter obtemperatu-
** ros, facturosque ullerius et recepturos, quod consonans fuerit rationi,
'* ac suo convenerit erga nostram regiam dignitatem officio." See

Aa8

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S68

LETTERS.

[1552.

such a concord and quietness in religion shall shortly fcdlow
thereof, as else is not to be looked for many years. Grod
shall thereby be glorified, his truth shall be advanced, and
your lordships shall be rewarded of Him, as the setters for-
ward of his true word and gospel. Unto whom is my
daily prayer, without ceasing, to preserve the King^s Majesty^
with all your honourable lordships. From my house at
Forde, the 24. of this present month of November. [1552.]
Your lordships ever to command,

T. Cant.
To my very good lords of the King's
Majesty his most honourable Conn-
cil.

Strypc,
Cranm.
App. No.
io8. from
Sir Wm.
Hickes'i
MSS.

CCXCIII. To Cecil.

After my hearty commendations and thanks for your
letters ; there is no man more loth to be in contention with
any man, than I am, specially with my Lord Warden ",
my near neighbour, dwelling both in one country, and
whose familiar and entire friendship I most desire, for the
quietness of the whole country. For the example of the
rulers and heads will the people and members follow.

And as touching learned men I shall send you my mind
with as much expedition as I can, which by this post I can
not do, even in the cold snow sitting upon coals, until he be

Appendix, No. xliii ; Burnet, Ref. vol. iii. book iv. No. 8 ; Strype, Me-
mortaZs, vol. ii. p. 421; \W'i\kins,Concilia, vol. iv. p. 79. In the reign
of Mary it was one of the charges brought against the Archbishop,
that he compelled his clergy to subscribe ; but it was not proved, and
he himself denied it, declaring that he exhorted such as were willing,
to subscribe, but against their wills compelled none. See Examination
before Brokes, vol. iv. p. 102. And Ridley also made a similar answer
to a similar accusation ; ^ I compelled,' he said, ^ no man to subscribe.*
Foxe, Ads, &c.]

" [" It was Sir Thomas Cheyne, who lived not far from him ; and so
" probably it might be about some worldly matters." Strype, Cranmer,
p. 453.]

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1658.] LETTERS. 869

gone. But heartily fare you well in the Lord Jesus. From
Forde, the last day of November. [1662.]

Your loving friend,

T. Cant.
To my loving friend Sir William
Cecill, Knight^ Secretary to the
King's Majesty, Yeve these.

CCXCIV. To Cecil.

After my very hearty recommendations ; y ester night I Stiype,
heard reported that Mr. Cheke is indicted * : I pray you add'^No
heartily, if you know any thing thereof, to send me know- 109. from
ledge, and whereupon he is indicted. I had great trust Hidies's
that he should be one of them that should feel the Queen'*s ^^S-
great mercy and pardon, as one who hath been none of the Jfol^n^^
great doers in this matter against her : and my trust is not m^'» ▼ol. ii.
yet gone, except it be for his earnestness in religion. For"^' ^^*'
the which if he suffer, blessed is he of God, that suffereth
for his sake, howsoever the world judge of him. For what
ought we to care for the judgment of the world, when God
absolveth us ? But alas, if any means could be made for
him, or for my Lord Russel, it were not to be omitted, nor
in any wise neglected. But I am utterly destitute both of
counsel in this matter and of power, being in the same
condemnation that they be y. But that only thing which

* [.Sir John Cheke had favoured the settlement of the Crown on Lady
Jane Grey, and had acted as Secretary of State during her short reign.
On " the 28th of July he was committed to the Tower as a traitor. And
'< whereas the rest that acted as Queen Jane's counsellors, being either
^ papists, or indifferent in religion, were easily pardoned ; Cheke and
** some few others were sent to the Tower, or kept under harder and
'' longer restraint. An indictment was drawn against him the 12th or
" 13th day of August, and his friends feared it would 1^0 hard with
" him." But, " the next year, being almost spoiled of all his substance,
" he obtained the favour of the Queen's pardon." Strype, Life of
Cheke, chap. v. sect. 9. The same work may be consulted for an ac-
count of his subsequent imprisonment and recantation.]

y [It seems that at this time Cranmer, for the unwilling support which
he had given to Lady Jane Grey, was ordered *' to keep his house, and
^ be forthcoming." In September ^ he was committed to the Toweri

Aa 4

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9m LETTERS. [1663.

I can do, I shall uot cease to do, and that is only to pray
for them and for myself, with all other that be now in ad-
versity. When I saw you at the Court, I would fain have
talked with you, but I durst not*: nevertheless if you
could find a time to come over to me, I would gladly com*
mune with you. Thus fare you heartily well, with my lady
your wife. From Lamhith, this 14. day of this month of
August. [1668.]

Your own assured,

T. Cant
To my very loving friend Sir William
Cecyl, knight.

CCXCV. To QuBEN Maey.

Coverdale's Most lamentably mourning and moaning himself unto
thJ^Mar- your Highness, Thomas Cranmer % although unworthy
tyrs, p. I. either to write or speak unto your Highness, yet having no

** partly for setting his hand to the instrument of the Lady Jane's suc-
*' cession, and partly for the public oflPer he made a little before of jus-
*' tifying openly the religious proceedings of the deceased King, out
** the chief reason was the inveterate malice his enemies conceived
" against him, for the divorce of King Henry from the Queen's mother."
Strype, Cranmer ^ p. 307. Foxe also speaks of the Queen's '' old grudge
^* against the Archbishop for the divorcement of her mother/' and
applies to it the lines of Virgil, slightly altered :

Manet alta mente repostum
Judicium Paridis, spretsque injuria matru.
Acts, &c. vol. iii. p. 648. See Declaration concerning the MaUf (vol. iv.
p. 1.)]

* l*^ He durst not, as it seems, out of his love and care of him, lest his
« very talking with Cecyl might have been prejudicial to that pardon,
" which he [Cecil] now lay fair for." Strvpe, ibid.}

*■ [Cranmer, the Lady Jane, her husband, and two other sons of
the Duke of Northumberland, were tried on the ISth of November at
Guildhall, and found guilty of hi^h treason. The Parliament which
was then sitting, confirmed this judgment by an Act of attainder.
1 Mar. St. 2. c. 16. ^* And now Cranmer was legally divested of his arch-
" bishopric, which was hereupon void in law, since a man that is at-
** tainted can have no right to any church benefice. But it being now
** designed to restore the ecclesiastical e&emption and dignity to what
** it had been anciently, it was resolved that he should be still esteemed
'* archbishop, till he was solemnly degraded according to the canon
" law.'' Burnet, Ref. vol. ii. p. 5 J 5. Accordingly, degr^iation from his

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1668.] LETTERS. 861

person that I know to be mediator for me, and knowing strn>e,

your pitiful ears ready to hear all jntiful complaints, and ^JJ^^'

seeing so many before to have felt your abundant clemency 74*

in like case, am now constrained most lamentably, and with

most penitent and sorrowful hearty to ask mercy and pardon JJ^^^f^"^

for my heinous folly and offence, in consenting and following leased of

the testament and will of our late Sovereign Lord King^^'^J|j°^®

Edward VI. your Grace'^s brother ; which will, God he know- senting un-

eth, I never liked ; nor never any thing grieved me so much dwarf's

that your Grace^s brother did. And if by any means it had ^"' *""*

so tie was *
been in me to have letted the making of that will, I would bnt after '

have done it. And what I said therein, as well to the^^J^

Council as to himself, divers of your Majesty's Council can heresy;

report : but none so well as the Marquis of Northampton, ^\ \\^^^

and the Lord Darcy, then Lord Chamberlain to the King's f^f ^c*J ^
«... 1.1 1 . . knew his

Majesty; which two were present at the communication cause was

between the King'^s Majesty and me. I desired to talk with ^^^**'
the King's Majesty alone, but I could not be suffered, and dak\}
so I failed of my purpose. For if I might have communed
with the King alone, and at good leisure, my trust was,
that I should have altered him from that purpose^ but they
being present, my labour was in vain.

Then when I could not dissuade him from the said will,
and both he and his Privy Council also, informed me that
the Judges and his learned counsel said, that the act of
entailing the Crown, made by his father, could not be pre-
judicial to him : but that he being in possession of the
Crown, might make his will thereof; this seemed very
strange unto me; but being the sentence of the Judges,
and other his learned counsel in the laws of this realm, (as
both he and his Council informed me) methought it became
not me, being unlearned in the law, to stand against my
Prince therein. And so at length I was required by the
King's Majesty himself to set to my hand to his will;

archbishopric formed part of the final sentence passed on him by the
Pope two years afterwards, in Dec. 1555. See vol. iv. pp. 118. 1S8;
Foxe, Acts, &c. vol. iii. p. 997 .J

b [The marginal notes in this and some of the following Letters are
preserved from the old editions.]

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86a LETTERS. [1668.

saying, that he trusted that I alone would not be more
repugnant to his will then the rest of the Council were:
(which words surely grieved my heart very sore,) and so I
granted him to subscribe his will, and to follow the same.
Which when I had set my hand unto^ I did it unfeignedly
and without dissimulation ^.

For the which I submit myself most humbly unto your
Majesty, acknowledging mine offence with most grievous
and sorrowful heart, and beseeching your mercy and par-
don : which my heart ^veth me shall not be denied unto
me, being granted before to so many, which travailed not
so much to dissuade both the King and his Council as
I did.

And whereas it is contained in two Acts of Parliament ^,
as I understand, that I, with the Duke of Northumberland,
should devise and compass the deprivation of your Majesty
from your royal Crown, surely it is untrue. For the Duke
never opened his mouth to me, to move me any such mat-
ter, nor I him ; nor his heart was not such toward me, (seek-
ing long time my destruction,) that he would either trust me
in such a matter, or think that I would be persuaded by him.
It was other of the Council that moved me, and the King
himself, the Duke of Northumberland not being present
Neither before, neither after, had I ever any privy com-
munication with the Duke of that matter, saving that
openly at the Council table the Duke said unto me, that it
became not me to say to the King as I did, when I went
about to dissuade him from the said will.

Now as concerning the estate of religion, as it is used in

« [See Burnet, Rrf, vol. ii. p. 458, &c. who seems to think that
Cranmer may have had recourse to the same distinction as Cecil, that
he subscrihedy not as a countellor, but as a witness. But there is no
trace of any such subterfuge in the simple and straight forward state-
ment of the Archbishop. See Letter ccxcvii.]

<* [One of these Acts probably is 1 Mary St. ii. c. 16. " for confirm-
'< ing the attainder of the late Duke of Northumberland and others,'*
the preamble to which names Cranmer among those, who " have com-
" mitted many detestable and abominable treasons, to tlie most fearful
<< peril and danger of the destruction of your most royal person, and to
'< the utter loss, and disherison, and destruction of this your realm of
<^ England.** Statutes of the Realm, vol. iv. p. 217.]

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1553.] LETTERS. 868

this realm of England at this present, if it please your
Highness to license me, I would gladly write my mind
unto your Majesty. I will never, God willing, be author
of sedition, to move subjects from the obedience of their
heads and rulers : which is an offence most detestable. If I
have uttered my mind to your Majesty, being a Christian
queen and governor of this realm, (of whom I am most
assuredly persuaded, that your gracious intent is, above all
other regards, to prefer God'*s true word, his honour and
glory,) if I have uttered, I say, my mind unto your Ma-
jesty, then I shall think myself discharged. For it lieth not
in me, but in your Grace only, to see the reformation of
things that be amiss. To private subjects it appertaineth
not to reform things, but quietly to suffer that they cannot
amend. Yet nevertheless to show your Majesty my mind
in things appertaining unto God, methink it my duty,
knowing that I do, and considering the place which in times
past I have occupied. Yet will I not presume thereunto
without your Grace^s pleasure first known, and your license
obtained : whereof I most humbly prostrate to the ground
do beseech your Majesty; and I shall not cease daily to
pray to Almighty God for the good preservation of your
Majesty from all enemies bodily and ghostly, and for the
increase of all goodness heavenly and earthly, during my
life, as I do and will do, whatsoever come of me.

CCXCVI. To Mrs. Wilkinson c.

The true comforter in all distress is only God, through MSS.

Emmannel
ColLCamb.
* [" The favourers of religion, seeing it was now determined to pro-
** ceed in all manner of severity ugainst them, began to flee into other
'* countries for their safety as fast as the^ could. Indeed there were
** some that made a case of conscience of it : among the rest, one Mrs.
*^ Wilkinson, a woman of good quality, and a great reliever of good
" men. Her the Archbishop out of prison advised to escape, and
** avoid a place where she could not truly and rightly serve God.''
Strype, Cranm, p. 313. A letter to her from Bishop Hoper, and two
or three firom Bradford, will be found in the Letters of the Martyrs^ and
in Foxe. In the Preface to the Embden edition of Cranmer's Vefence,

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864 LETTERS. [1668.

Corer- ^ Son Jesus Christ, and whosoever hath Him, hath cotn-
dale'i Let- pany enough, although he were in a wilderness all alone.
MartfTs, And he that hath twenty thousand in his company, if God
P* ^3* be absent, he is in a miserable wilderness and desolation.
?cf voUii? I" Him is all comfort, and without Him is none. Where-
p. 677. fore I beseech you, seek your dwelling diere, whereas you
Strype. may truly and rightly serve God, and dwell in Him, and
App. No. have Him ever dwelling in you. What can be so heavy a
7^' burden as an unquiet conscience, to be in such a place as a

man cannot be suffered to serve Grod in Christy's true re-
ligion ? If you be loth to part from your kin and friends,
remember, that Christ calleth them his mother, sisters, and
brothers, that do his Father^s will. Where we find there-
fore God truly honoured according to his will, there we can
lack neither friend nor kin.

If you be loth to depart for slandering of God^s word,
remember, that Christ, when his hour was not yet come,
departed out of his country into Samaria, to avoid the
malice of the Scribes and Pharisees ; and commanded his
Apostles, that if they were pursued in one place, they
should fly to another. And was not Paul let down by a
basket out at a window, to avoid the persecution of Aretas?
And what wisdom and policy he used from time to time, to
escape the malice of his enemies, the Acts of the Apostles
do declare. And after the same sort did the other Apostles.
Mary, when it came to such a point, that they could no
longer escape danger of the persecutors of God'^s true re-
ligion, then they showed themselves, that their flying before
came not of fear, but of godly wisdom to do more good,
and that they would not rashly, without urgent necessity,
offer themselves to death ; which had been but a tempta-
tion of God. Yet, when they were apprehended, and could
no longer avoid, then they stood boldly to the profession
of Christ : then they showed, how little they passed of

she and the Duchess of Suffolk are meticioned as womeu deserving of
an everlasting name, who had left their country for consdence sake.
Foxe states that she died in exile at Frankfort. Acts, &c. vol. iii.
p. 164.]

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1554.] LETTERS. 866

death : how much they feared Grod more than men : how
much they loved and preferred the eternal life to come,
above this short and miserable life.

Wherefore I exhort you, as well by Cbrist^s command-
ment as by the example of Him and his Apostles, to with-
draw yourself from die malice of your and God^^s enemies,
into some place where Grod is most purely served. Which
is no slandering of the truth, but a preserving of yourself to
God and the truth, and to the society and comfort of
Christ^s little flock. And that you will do, do it with speedy
lest by your own folly you fall into the persecutors^ hands.
And the Lord send his holy Spirit to lead and guide you,
wheresoever you go. And all that be godly will say,
Amen.

T. Cranmen

CCXCVII. To THE Lords of the Council^.

In most humble wise sueth unto your right honourable mss.
lordships Thomas Cranmer, late Archbishop of Canter- ^|"
bury s ; beseeching the same to be a means for me unto the

f [In this and the preceding Letter, the manascript copies in the
Library of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, have been followed in
printing. In the present case the Emmanuel cop^ differs considerably
from those in Foxe and Strype, but agrees, eiceptmg a few words, with
that in the Letters rf the Martyrs,']

t [According to ^xe, Cranmer was now released from his action of
treason, and accused only of heresy ; but Strjpe states, and his state-
ment is supported by this Letter, that " so litde favour could he find at
<< Court, tnat he had not yet this pardon absolutely granted him.''
However this might be, '* it had been determined by the Queen and
** the Council, that he should be removed from the Tower, where be
" was prisoner, to Oxford, there to dispute with the doctors and divines.
** And although the Queen and the bishops had concluded before what
** should become of him, yet it pleased them that the matter should be
** debated with arguments, that under some honest show of disputation
'' the murder of the man might be covered.'' Foxe, Acts, &c. vol. iii.
p. 648. For this Disputatianf which ended in his condemnadon for he-
resy on the 20th of April 1554, see vol. iv. pp. 4, 77. *' On Monday next
« ensuing, after these things done and past, being the 2drd of tKe said
** month of April, Dr. Weston, Prolocutor, took his journey up to Lon-
<< don, by whom the Archbishop of Canterbury directed his letters sup-
'' plicatory unto the Council. The which letters af^r tbe Prolocutor
'' bad received, and had carried them well near halfway to London, by

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866 LETTERS. [1664.

Co?nrdmle'8 Queens's Highness for her mercy and pardon. Some of you

ikeMt^ know by what means I was brought and trained unto the

iwn, p. i6. will of our late Sovereign Lord King Edward VI, and

Foxe, ^cts, whst I spake airainst the same ; wherein I refer me to the
4-c.Tol. III. , T U h

p. 9a. reports of your honours *».

stiype. Furthermore, this is to signify unto your lordships, that up-

App. No. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday last past, were open

79* disputations here in Oxford, against me. Master Ridley, and

Tbejrpat Master Latymer, in three matters concerning the sacra-

thmques- ™®°t- First, of the real presence. Secondly, of transub-

tioDs, but stantiation. And thirdly, of the sacrifice of the mass. How

tdl^uoi^^^ other two were used I cannot tell; for we were sepa-

to answer rated : SO that none of us knew what the other said, nor
nillyinooe.- , i i r* • ii» t

[Covers how they were ordered. But as concerning myselt, 1 can

*^^'^ report, that I never knew nor heard of a more confused
disputation in all my life. For albeit there was one ap-
pointed to dispute against me, yet every man spake his
mind, and brought forth what him liked without order.
And such haste was made, that no answer could be suffered
to be given fully to any argument, before another brought a
new argument. And in such weighty and large matters
there was no remedy, but the disputations must needs be
ended in one day, which can scantly well be ended in three
months. And when we had answered them, then they
would not appoint us one day to bring forth our proofs,
that they might answer us again, being required of me
thereunto : whereas I myself have more to say, than can
be well discussed in twenty days. The means to resolve
the truth had been, to have suflTered us to answer fully to
all that they could say, and then they again to answer to all
that we could say. But why they would not answer us,
what other cause can there be, but that either they feared
the matter, that they were not able to answer us; or else
(as by their haste might well appear) they came, not to speak

*' the way he opened the same, and seeing the contents thereof, sent
" them back again, refusing to carry them/' Foxe, Acttf &c. vol. iii.
p. 93. The Letter here printed seems to be that which Weston thus
refused to deliver.]
*» [See Letter ccxcv.]

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1654.] LETTERS. 367

the truth, but to condemn us in post haste, before the truth Behold Sa-
might be thoroughly tried and heard ? for in all haste we ^ ■'**?*
were all three condemned of heresy upon Friday. Thus Their cruel
much I thought good to signify unto your lordships, that you ^^^
may know the indifferent handling of matters, leaving the could abide
judgment thereof unto your wisdoms. And I beseech your ^cwer-
lordships to remember me, a poor prisoner, unto the Queetfs*^*]
Majesty ; and I shall pray, as I do daily, unto God for the
long preservation of your good lordships in all godliness and
felicity. April 23. [1654.]

CCXCVIII. To Martyn and Story".

I have me commended unto you ; and, as I promised, I Certain
have sent my letters unto the Queen^s Majesty unsigned, t/J'^^
praying you to sign them, and deliver them with all speed. 4rc*
I might have sent them by the carrier sooner, but not surer: S^^^J^y*'
but hearing Master Bailiff say, that he would go to the p. 676.
Court on Friday, I thought him a meeter messenger to send
my letters by ; for better is later and surer, than sooner and
never to be delivered. Yet one thing 1 have written to
the Queen'*s Majesty enclosed and sealed, which I require
you may be so delivered without delay ^, and not be opened

^ [The sentence mentioned in the last Letter " was void in law ; be-
** cause the autliprity of tlie Pope was not yet received ;" therefore
** there was a new commission sent from Rome for the conviction of
" Cranmer. Brokes, Bishop of Gloucester, was the Pope's subdelegate
" under Cardinal de Puteo, and Martyn and Story, doctors of the civil
** law, were the Queen's commissioners." Strype, Cronm. p. 371. For
their proceedings, see vol. iv. p. 79, &c. The present Letter was obviously
written after these proceedings were tenninated, and was accompanied
by a report drawn up by Cranmer for the perusal of the Queen, of the
arguments which he had used on the occasion. See note (k).]

^ [There is a strong presumption that the Letters here described are
the two which follow, Nos. ccxcxx, ccc. For the one contains a full
report of Cranmer's argument at his Examination before Broi^es, which
might well be left unsealed ; and the other touches upon what he con-
sidered a contradiction between the Queen's oath to the Pope and that
to her realm ; a matter which might be reasonably thought of too deli-
cate a nature to be submitted to any other eyes than her Majesty's.
This coi\jecture, however, is not without senous objection. In the
Letter sent open Co Martyn and Story, Cranmer, as he states, did not

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868 LETTERS. [1555.

unul it be delivered uDto her Grace^s own hands. I have
written all that I remember I said, except that which I
spake against the Bishop of Gloucester's own person, which
I thought not meet to write. And in some places I have
written more than I said, which I would have answered to
the Bishop, if you would have suffered me.

You promised I should see mine Answers to the Sixteen
Articles \ that I might correct, amend, and change them^
where I thought good ; which your promise you kept not-
And mine answer was not made upon my oath, nor repeated ;
nor made injudicioy but extra judicium^ as I protested ; nor
to the Bishop of Gloucester as judge, but to you the King's
and Queen's proctors. I trust you deal sincerely with me,
without fraud or craft, and use me as you would wish to be
used in like case yourselves* Remember, that Qua mensura
mensijueritis, eadem remetietur vobiSj i. What measure you
viete, the same shaB be measured to you offjon. Thus fare
you well, and God send you his Spirit to induce you into
all truth. [Sept. 1556.]

think it meet to write what he had spoken against the Bishop of Glou-
cester's own person. Can it then be the same with Letter ccxcix, in
which he describes him as doubly peijured and as an '< enemy to
** the laws and state of this realm?" Yet if it is not the same, it
still remains to be explained, how it was ^' meet" to insert per-
sonal reflections in one address to the Queen, which it was '^ not meet"
to insert in another. And it is possible, that the personal reflections,
which he chose to suppress, were distinct from these charges of per-
jury and treason, wliich he seems to have had no scruple in repeat-
ing. Again it may be said, that any conjecture which rests on Cran-
mer*s supposed delicacy towards her Majesty, is completely overturned
by his public declaration before Brokes, that she *' roust needs be for-
" sworn** either to the Pope, or to the state of England. But perhaps
he might then have been led to such an assertion by the heat of debate,
and might subseouently, on reflection, and when communicating directly
with the Queen nerself, have seen the propriety of omitting tfc^ subject
in his open letter, and reserving it for one which was sealed. See Let-
ters CCXCIX, ccc; and ^xaminaiiim before Brokes, vol. iv. pp. 84, 111.1
' [See the Articles and Answers, vol. iv. p. 99, &c. and Cranraers
Appeal, ibid. p. 124.]

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1566.] LETTERS. 869

CCXCIX. To Queen Mart m.

It may please your Majesty to pardon my presumption, <>reain
that I dare be so bold to write to your Highness, but very theQtieen,
necesaty constraineth me, that your Majesty may know my *^'
mind, rather by mine own writing, than by other men^s re- daie'sZrf-
ports. So it is, that upon Saturday ", being the seventh day ^'^/'^^
of this month, I was cited to appear at Rome the eightieth p. 3.
day after, there to make answer to such matters as should be Foxe, ^c^,
objected against me upon the behalf of the King and your p[^67i.'
most excellent Majesty : which matters the Thursday follow-
ing were objected against me by Dr. Martin and Dr. Stone,
your Majesty^s proctors, before the Bishop of Gloucester,
sitting in judgment by commission from Rome. But, alas !
it cannot but grieve the heart of any natural subject, to be ac-
cused of the King and Queen of his own realm, and specially The King
before an outward judge, or by authority coming from any ^o** Q"«««»
person out of this realm : where the King and Queen, as if themselves
they were subjects within their own realm, shall complain, ^^^g^
and require justice at a strimger^s hands against their ownjectsincom.
subject, being already condemned to death by their own ^^^ own'

" [This and the foUowiDg Letter, a& mav be proved from their contents,
were addressed by Cranmer to Queen Mary in Sept. 1555, soon after
his Examination before Brokes. It is strange therefore, that Strype
should mention them, as if thev were written subsequently to his de-
gradation, in the beginning of the next year; especially as at the
distance of a few pages he assigns the correct date of November
the 6th to Cardinal Pole's answer to them. Strype also states, that
the Archbishop <' thought not fit to entrust them with the commis-
<< sioners, since Weston had served him such a trick in the case be-
" fore.'' But this assertion again is not well founded, for these were
probably the very letters which accompanied th^ preceding note to
Martyn and Story; and even if they were not, it is clear from the ex-
pressions there used, that distrtut was not the cause of their being sent
by another conveyance. See Letter ccxcviii ; Examination before
JBroket, (vol. iv. p. 79, &c.) Strype, Cranm, pp. 377. 381.]

" [** Saturday bein^; the seventh.** This is the reading in Certain
Letters to the Queen, m Coverdale's Letters of the Martyrs, and in the
first edition of Foxe's Acts, and is undoubtedly the true one. In some
later editions of Foxe it has been altered to ** Wednesday being the
" twelfth ;" but the 12th of Sept. 1555, fell on a Thursday, and was
the day on which Cranmer, as he says just below, was brought before
Brokes at St. Mary's. See Processus contra Cranmerum, in Strype,
Cranm. Add. p. 1073. Oxford, 1812; Wordsworth, Ecfles, Biogr,
vol. iii. p. 570.]

VOL. I. B b

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870 LETTERS. [1555.

subject laws. As though the King and Queen could not do or
ward ud^ have justice within their own realms against their own sub-
as though jects, but they must seek it at a stranger'^s hands in a
mmer to°*^ Strange land ; the like whereof, I think, was never seen.
punish him. J would have wished to have had some meaner adversaries :
daU.} and I think that death shall not grieve me much more, than
to have my most dread and most gracious Sovereign Lord
The first and Lady, (to whom under God I do owe all obedience,) to
Se Arch^ be mine accusers in judgment within their own realm, before
bishop any stranger and outward power. But forasmuch as in the
make an- ^'"^^ of the prince of most famous memory, King Henry

swer to the the Eiirhth, your Grace'*s father, I was sworn never to con-
Pope scom O ' ./ ^ '
missary,i8 Sent that the Bishop of Rome should have or exercise any

^riurv-^ authority or jurisdiction in this realm of England, therefore,
[(^' lest I should allow his authority contrary to mine oath, I
t^to the refused to make answer to the Bishop of Gloucester, sitting
Queen.} here in judgment by the Pope^s authority, lest I should run

into perjury.
Tlie second Another cause why I refused the Pope's authority is
lhatthe' ^'"^> ^'^^^ ^^^ authority, as he claimeth it, repugneth to the
Pope's laws crown imperial of this realm, and to the laws of the same,
trary to the wliich every true subject is bounden to defend. First, for
crown and ^jm^ ^j^^ Pope saith, that all manner of power, as well tem-
Engiand. poral as spiritual, is given first to him of God ; and that
L w</.] ^j^g temporal power he ^veth unto emperors and kings, to
use it under him, but so as it be always at his command-
ment and beck.
The Crown But contrary to this claim, the imperial crown and juris-
imd tempo, (jjction temporal of this realm is taken immediately from
is taken God, to be used under Him only, and is subject unto none,
llljTtm but to God alone.

God.[75u/.] Moreover, the imperial laws and customs of this realm,
J^®l^/^^°^the King in his coronation, and all justices when they re-
andjas- ceive their offices, be sworn, and all the whole realm is
the duty of bounden, to defend and maintain. But contrary hereunto,
r/wSn** the Pope by his authority maketh void <>, and commandeth to

0 [See Collection of Tetiets, &c. (vol. ii. p. 1. &c.)]

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155.6.] LETTERS. 371

blot out of our books, all laws and customs being repugnant
to his laws ; and declareth accursed all rulers and governors,
all the makers, writers, and executors of such laws or cus-
toms : as it appeareth by many of the Pope^s laws, whereof
one or two I shall rehearse. In the Decrees, Dist. 10. is
written thus, " Constitutiones contra canones et decreta prae^
*' sulum Romanorum vel bonos mores, nullius sunt momenti.^^
That is, ^* The constitutions or statutes enacted against the
*^ canons and decrees of the bishops of Rome or their good
** customs,are of none effect."^ AlsOyExtrav.DeSententia Ex-
communicaHonisy "Noverit:^"Excommunicamus omnes hae-
" reticos utriusque sexus, quocunque nomine censeantur, et
" fautores et receptatores et defensores eorum ; nee non et
'^ qui de caetero servari fecerint statuta edita et consuetu-
*^ dines introductas contra Ecclesiae libertatem, nisi ea de
'^ capitularibus suis intra duos menses post hujusmodi pub-
^' licationem sententiae fecerint amoveri. Item, excommu-
*^ nicamus statutarios^ et scriptores statutorum ipsorum, nee
^^ non potestates, consules, rectores, et consiliarios locorum,
'^ ubi de caetero hujusmodi statuta et consuetudines editae
^' fuerint vel servatae ; nee non et illos qui secundum ea pre-
** sumpserint judicare, vel in publicam formam scribere ju-
" dicata.'' That is to say, " We excommunicate all heretics
'^ of both sexes^ what name soever they be called by, and
" their favourers and receptors and defenders ; and also
^^ them that shall hereafter cause to be observed the statutes
** and customs made against the liberty of the Church, ex-
*^ cept they cause the same to be put out of their records and
'^ chapters within two months after the publication of this
** sentence. Also we excommunicate the statute makers and
*' writers of those statutes, and all the potestates, consuls,
** governors and counsellors of places where such statutes
*^ and customs shall be made or kept; and also those that
" shall presume to give judgment according to them, or
** to write into public form the matters so adjudged/*

Now by these laws, if the Bishop of Homers authority Either tiic
which he claimeth by God, be lawful, all your Grace^s laws b^^nUw^**
and customs of your realm, being contrary to the Pope^s ^"^ or else

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878 LETTERS. [1656.

all Eng. Iftws, be naught : and as well your Majesty, as your judges,

'*rt^*^ justices, and all other executors of the same, stand accursed

libid,2 among heretics, which God forbid. And yet this curse

can never be avoided, if the Pope have such pow^ as he

cliumeth, until such times as the laws and customs of this

realm, being contrary to his laws, be taken away and blotted

out of the law books. And although there be many laws of

Note this realm contrary to the laws of Rome, yet I named but a

Pope's" ^^^ y ^ ^ convict a clerk before any temporal judge of this

lawi and realm for debt, felony, murder, or for any other crime ;

England which clerks by the Pope^s laws be so exempt from the

Ubi^ King's laws, that they can be no where sued but before thdr

ordinary.

Also the Pope by his laws may give all bishoprics and be-
nefices spiritual, which by the laws of this realm can be
given but only by the King and other patrons of the same^
except they fall into the lapse.

By the Pope's laws^Jtu patronaiiM shall be sued only be-
fore the ecclesiastical judge, but by the laws of this realm it
shall be sued before the temporal judges.

And to be short, the laws of this realm do agree with the
Pope's laws like fire and water. And yet the Kings of this
realm have provided for their laws by the prcemumre ; so
that if any man have let the execution of the laws of this
realm by any authority from the see of Rome, he falleth
into the pramunire.

But to meet with this, the Popes have provided for their
laws by cursing. For whosoever letteth the Pope's laws to
have full course within this realm, by the Pope's power
standeth accursed. So that the Pope's power treadeth all
the laws and customs of this realm under his feet, cursing
all that execute them, until such time as they give place
unto his laws.

But it may be said, that notwithstanding all the Pope's
decrees, yet we do execute still the laws and customs of this
realm. Nay, not all quietly without interruption of the
Pope. And where we do execute them, yet we do it un*
justly, if the Pope's power be of force, and for the same we

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1665.] LETTERS. »78

stand exoommunicate, and shall do, until we leave the exe-
cution of our own laws and customs. Thus we be well re- Mark this
conciled to Rome, allowing such authority, whereby theTJ^i
realm standeth accursed before God, if the Pope have any
such authority.

These things, as I suppose, were not fully opened in the
parliament house, when the Pope^s authority was received
again within this realm ; for if they had, I do not believe that
either the King or Queens's Majesty, or the nobles of this
realm, or the commons of the same, would ever have con-
sented to receive a^in such a foreign authority, so injurious,
hurtful, and prejudicial, as well to the crown as to the laws
and customs, and state of this realm, as whereby they must
needs acknowledge themselves to be accursed. But nonecould Tbe duty of
open this matter well but the clergy, and that such of them ^gfj^[^
as had read the Pope's laws, whereby the Pope hath made^p thcPar-
himself as it were a god. These seek to maintain the Pope, [/m</.]
whom they dewed to have their chief head, to the intent
they might have as it were a kingdom and laws within them-
selves, distinct from the laws of the crown, and wherewith
the crown may not meddle; and so being exempt from
the laws of the realm, might live in this realm like lords and
kings, without damage or fear of any man; so that they
please their high and supreme head at Rome. For this
consideration, I ween, some that knew the truth held their
peace in the parliament, whereas if they had done their du-
ties to the crown and whole realm, they should have opened
their mouths, declared the truth, and showed the perils
and dangers that might ensue to the crown and realm.

And if I should agree to allow such authority within this
realm, whereby I must needs confess that your most gracious
Highness, and also your realm, should ever continue accursed,
unul you shall cease from the execution of your own laws and
customs of your realm ; I could not think myself true either
to your Highness, or to this my natural country, knowing
that I do know. Ignorance, I know, may excuse other
men, but he that knoweth how prejudicial and injurious the
power and authority, which he challengeth every where, is

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874 LETTERS. [1555.

to the crown, laws, and customs of this realm, aod yet will

allow the same, I cannot see in any wise, how he can keep

his due allegiance, fidelity, and truth to the crown and state

of this realm.

The third Another cause I alleged why I could not allow the au-

he"wiilld ^ thority of the Pope, which is this. That by his authority he

not allow subverteth not only the laws of this realm, but also the laws

P • of ^^ • ^ ^^^^ whosoever be under his authority, he suf-

reiigioa is fereth them not to be under Chrisfs religion purely, as Christ

^^l\ did command. And for one example, I brought forth, that

religion, whereas by God's laws all Christian people be bounden dili-

f^ •■' gently to learn his word, that they may know how to belieye

and live accordingly, for that purpose he ordained holy days,

when they ought, leaving apart all other business, to give

themselves wholly to know and serve God. Therefore God's

will and commandment is, that when the people be gathered

Why Latin together, ministers should use such language as the people

ou"ilt*iiot ™*y understand and take profit thereby, or else hold their

to be re- peace. For as an harp or lute, if it give no certain sound

England. ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^Y ^^^^ what is Stricken, who can dance after

Ibid.] it, for all the sound is in vain ? so is it in vain and profiteth

nothing, saith Almighty God by the mouth of St. Paul, if

the priest speak to the people in a language which they

know not ; for else he may profit himself, but profiteth not

the people, saith Saint Paul. But herein I was answered thus;

that Saint Paul spake only of preaching, that the preacher

should preach in a tongue which the people did know, or

else his preaching availeth nothing. This I would have

spoken, and could not be su£Pered. But if the preaching

availeth nothing, being spoken in a language which the people

understand not, how should any other service avail them,

being spoken in the same language? And yet that Siunt

Paul meant not only of preaching, it appeareth plainly by his

own words. For he speaketh by name expressly of praying,

singing, lauding, and thanking of God, and of all other

things which the priests say in the churches, whereunto the

people say Amen ; which they used not in preaching, but in

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1665.] LETTERS. 876

other divine service ; that whether the priests rehearse the
wonderful works of God, or the great benefits of God unto
mankind above all other creatures, or give thanks unto God,
or make open profession of their faith, or humble confession
of their sins, with earnest request of mercy and forgiveness, or
make suit or request unto God for any thing ; that then all the
people, understanding what the priests say, might give their
minds and voices with them, and say Amen, that is to say,
allow what the priests say ; that the rehearsal of God'^s uni-
versal works and benefits, the giving of thanks, the profes-
sion of faith, the confession of sins, and the requests and
petitions of the priests and the people might ascend up
into the ears of God altogether, and be as a sweet savour,
odour, and incense in his nose ; and thus was it used many
hundred years after Christ's ascendon. But the foresaid
things cannot be done, when the priests speak to the people
in a language not known, and so they (or their clerk in
their name) say Amen, but they cannot tell whereunto.
Whereas Saint Paul saith, How can the people say Amen
to thy weU sayings when they understand not what thou
sayest f And thus was Saint Paul understanden of all inter-
preters, both the Greeks and Latins, old and new, school
authors and others, that I have read, until about thirty years
past. At which time one Eckius, with other of his sort,
began to devise a new exposition, understanding St. Paul
of preaching only.

But when a good number of the best learned men re-Tliepa-
puted within this realm, some favouring the old, some the^^^y^^"
new learning, as they term it, (where indeed that which and Nay to
they call the old is the new, and that which they call the^ftoIIJf
new is indeed the old;) but when a great number of such^y^ath.
learned men of both sorts*! were gathered together at
Windsor, for the reformation of the service of the Church ;

H [These were the Commissioners who drew up Edward VI*s first
CoramunioD Book, and first Common Prayer Book. King Edward in
his Journal mentions them thus : '' A parliament was called, when an
** uniform order o( prayer was institute, before made by a iiumbf r of
*< bishops and learned men gathered together in Windsor." Journal,
Ann. 2.]

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816 LETTERS. [1666.

it was agreed by both, without controversy (not one saying
contrary ') that the service of the Church ought to be in
the mother tongue, and that Saint Paul in the fourteenth
chapter to the Corinthians was so to be understanden. And
so is Saint Paul to be understanden in the civil law, more
than a thousand years past, where JusUnianus, a most godly
Emperor, in a synod writeth on this manner : <^ Jubemus ut
** omnes episcopi pariter et presbyteri non tacito modo, sed
<^ dara voce, quse a fideli populo exaudiatur, sacram obla-
<^ tionem et preces in sacro baptismate adhibitas celebrent,
*^ quo majori exinde devotione in depromendis Domini Dei
^^ laudibus audientium animi efferantur. Ita enim et IKvus
^< Paulus docet in Epistola ad Corinth. Si sohvmmodo be--
^^ nedkai spiritus^ quomodo is quiprivetH locum ienety dicet
*^ cd gradarum actionem tuam^ Amen f quandoquidem quid
** dicas non videt. Tht quidem puJchre gratiae (igia^dUer
" autem non cedificahtr,'" That is to say, " We command
^^ that all bishops and priests celebrate the holy oblation
^^ and prayers used in holy baptism, not after a still, close
" manner, but with a clear, loud voice, that they may be
*^ plainly heard of the faithful people, so as the hearers^
** minds may be lifted up thereby with the greater devo-
" tion, in uttering the praises of the Lord God. For so
<< Paul teacheth also in the Epistle to the Corinthians. If
*^ the spirit do only bless (or say well) how shall he that oc-
** cupieth the place of a private person^ say^ Amen^ to thy
. " thanksgiving? for he perceiveth not what thou sayest,
" Thou dost give thanks weUy but the other is not edifi^d^
And not only the civil law, and all other writers a thousand
and five hundred years continually together have expounded
Saint Paul not of preaching only, but of other service said
in the church ; but also reason giveth the same, that if

' [So also Ridley : " When I was in office, all that were esteemed
'< learned in Ood*s word, agreed this to be a truth in God's word
" written, that the common prayer of the Church should be had in the
" common tongue. You know I have conferred with many, and I
'< ensure you I never found man, (so far as I do remember,) neither old
'* nor new, gospeller nor papist, of what judgment soever he was, in
" this thing to be of a contrary opinion.'' Letter to West, his chap-
lain, in Coverdale's Letters of the Martyrs^ p. 43.]

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1556.] LETTERS- 8T7

men be commanded to hear any thing, it must be spoken in comniaDd-
a language which the hearers understand, or else (as Saint ^|^
Paul saith) what availeth it to hear? So that the Pope God and
giving a contrary commandment, that the people coming to reason,
the church shall hear they wot not what, and shall answer l^^*^i
they know not whereto, taketh upon him to command, not
only against reason, but also directly against Grod.

And i^;ain I said, whereas our Saviour Christ ordained The sacra-
the sacrament of his most precious body and blood to bej^^^^^ ^
received of all ChrisUan people under the forms both of bread ce^ved in
and wine, and said of the cup. Drink ye aU of this: the of all Chris-
Pope giveth a clean contrary commandment, that no W f^i
man shall drink of the cup of their salvation ; as though the
cup of salvation by the blood of Christ pertained not to
lay men. And whereas Theophilus Alexandrinus (whose
works Saint Jerome did translate about eleven hundred
years past) saith, << That if Christ had been crucified for
** the devils, his cup should not be denied them ;^ yet the
Pope denieth the cup of Christ to Christian people, for
whom Christ was crucified. So that if I should obey the
Pope in these things, I must needs disobey my Saviour
Christ.

But I was answered hereunto (as commonly the papbts
do answer) that under the form of bread is whole Chrises
flesh and blood : so that whosoever receiveth the form of
bread, receiveth as well Christ^s blood as hb flesh. Let it
be so : yet in the form of bread only, Christ^s blood is not
drunken, but eaten ; nor is it received in the cup in the form
of wine, as Christ commanded, but eaten with the flesh
under the form of bread. And, moreover, the bread is not
the sacrament of his blood, but of his flesh only ; nor the cup
is not the sacrament of his flesh, but of his blood only. And
so the Pope keepeth from all lay persons the sacrament of
their redemption by Christ'^s blood, which Christ command-
eth to be given unto them.

And furthermore, Christ ordained the sacrament in two
kinds, the one separated from the other, to be a representa-
tion of his death, where his Uood was separated from his

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378 LETTERS. [1555.

flesh, which is not represented in one kind alone : so that
the lay people receive not the whole sacrament, whereby
Chrisf s death is represented, as he commanded.
Mi8order Moreover, as the Pope taketh upon him to give the tem-
Popciiias- P^""*' sword, or royal and imperial power, to kings and
soiling the princes : so doth he likewise take upon him to depose
ence of them from their imperial states, if they be disobedient to
subjects to- him^ and commandeth the subjects to disobey thdr princes,
prioces. assoiling the subjects as well of their obedience as of their
[Foxe.] lawful oaths made unto their true kings and princes, di-
rectly contrary to Grod's commandment, who commandeth
all subjects to obey their kings, or their rulers under
them.

One John, Patriarch of Constantinople in the time of
Saint Gregory, claimed superiority above all other bishops.
To whom Saint Gregory writeth, that therein he did injury
to his three brethren, which were equal with him, that is to
say, the Bishop of Rome, the Bishop of Alexandria, and
of Antiochia : which three were patriarchal sees as well as
Constantinople, and were brethren one to another. " But
" (saith St. Gregory) if any one shall exalt himself above
" all the rest, to be the universal bishop, the same passeth
*^ in pride.*" But now the Bishop of Rome exalteth him-
self not only above all bishops, but also above all kings and
emperors, and above all the whole world, taking upon him
to give and take away, to set up and put down, as he shall
The Devil think good. And as the Devil having no such authority.
Pope are J®^ ^^^^ upon him to give unto Christ all the kingdoms of
like. the world, if he would fall down and worship him : in like

ljett^s\ manner the Pope taketh upon him to give empires and
theQiteen,^ kingdoms being none of his, to such as will fall down and
worship him and kiss his feet.

And moreover his lawyers and glosers so flatter him, that
they feign he may command emperors and kings to hold
his stirrup when he lightetk upon his horse, and to be his
foot-men : and that, if any emperor and king give him any
thing, they give him nothing but that is his own, and that
he may dispense against God''s word, against both the Old

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1656.] LETTERS. 879

and New Testament^ against St PauPs Epistles, and against
the Gospel. And furthermore whatsoever he doth, although
he draw innumerable people by heaps with himself into
hell, yet may no mortal man reprove him, because he being
judge of all men, may be judged of no man'. And thus he
sitteth in the temple of God, as if he were a God, and The P6pc
nameth himself God'^s vicar, and yet he dispenseth agunst cbrist, that
God. If this be not to play Antichrist's part, I cannot tell »'*' Christ's

. . . enemy.

what is Antichrist, which is no more to say but Christ'*s[/6#</.]
enemy and adversary, who shall sit in the temple of God,
advancing himself above all other, yet by hypocrisy and
feigned religion shall subvert the true religion of Christ,
and under pretence and colour of Christian religion shall
work against Christ, and therefore hath the name of Anti-
christ. Now if any man lift himself higher than the Pope
hath done, who lifteth himself above all the world ; or can
be more adversary to Christ, than to dispense against God'^s
laws, and where Christ hath given any commandment, to
command directly the contrary, that man must needs be
taken for Antichrist. But until the time that such a person
may be found, men may easily conjecture where to find Anti-
christ.

Wherefore, seeing the Pope thus (to overthrow both
God's laws and man'^s laws) taketh upon him to make em-
perors and kings to be vassals and subjects unto him, and spe- Note this
cially the crown of this realm, with the laws and customs of ^J^*?*°°'
the same ; I see no mean how I may consent to admit his
usurped power within this realm, contrary to mine oath,
mine obedience to God''s law, mine allegiance and duty to
your Majesty, and my love and affection to this realm.

This that I have spoken against the power and authority The cause
of the Pope, I have not spoken (I take God to record and T**''. S\
judge) for any malice 1 owe to the Pope's person, whom I spnke aod
know not, but I shall pray to God to give him grace that J^^f^^^
he may seek above all things to promote God^s honour
and glory, and not to follow the trade of his predecessors
in these latter days.

» [See Collection of Tenets, &c. (vol. ii. p. 4.)]

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S80 LETTERS. [1655.

Nor I have not spoken it for fear of punishment, and to
avoid the same, thinking it rather an occamon to aggravate
than to diminish my trouble ; but I have spoken it for my
most bounden duty to the crown, liberties, laws, and cus-
toms of this realm of England, but most specially to dis-
charge my conscience in uttering the truth to God'^s glory,
casting away all fear by the comfort which I have in Christ,
who saith ; Fecur not them that kill the body, and cannot
kill the soulf buijear him thai can out both body and 9oul
into heiUJire. He that for fear to lose this life will forsake
the truth, shall lose the everlasting life : and he that for the
truth'^s sake will spend his life, shall find everlasting life.
And Christ promiseth to stand fast with them before his
Father, which will stand fast with Him here. Which com-
fort is so great, that whosoever hath his eyes fixed upon
Christ, cannot greatly pass on this life, knowing that he
may be sure to have Christ stand by him in the presence of
his Father in heaven.
The sacra- And as touching the sacrament, I said ; forasmuch as the
[md.} whole matter standeth in the understanding of these words
of Christ : This is my body^ This is my blood; I said that
Christ in these words made demonstration of the bread and
wine, and spake figuratively, calling bread his body and
wine his blood, because he ordained them to be sacraments
of his body and blood. And where the papists say in
those two points contrary unto me, that Christ called not
bread his body, but a substance uncertain, nor spake figu-
ratively: herein I said I would be judged by the old
Churdi, and which doctrine could be proved the elder, that
I would stand unto. And forasmuch as I have all^;ed in
my book many old authors, both Greeks and Latins, which
above a thousand years after Christ continually taught as I
do ; if they could bring forth but one dd author, that
saith in these two points as they say, I offared six or seven
years ago, and do offer yet still, that I will give place unto
them K

But when I bring forth any author that saith in most
« [See Defence^ SfC. (vol. ii. p. 376.)]

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1666.] LETTERS. 881

plmn terms as I do, yet saith the other party, that the au*
thors meant not so ; as who should say, that the authors
spake one thing, and meant clean contrary. And upon the
other part, when they cannot find any one author that
saith in words as they say ; yet say they, that the authors
meant as they say. Now, whether I or they speak more to
the purpose herein, I refer me to the judgment of all in-
different hearers : yea, the old Church of Rome, above a
thousand years together, neither believed nor used the sa-
crament as the Church of Rome hath done of late years.

For in the be^nning the Church of Rome taught a pure
and a sound doctrine of the sacrament. But after that the
Church of Rome fell into a new doctrine of transubstantia-
tion ; with the doctrine they changed the use of the sacra-
ment, contrary to that Christ commanded, and the old
Church of Rome used above a thousand years. And yet
to deface the old, they say that the new is the old ; wherein
for my part I am content to stand to the trial. But thdr
doctrine is so fond and uncomfortable, that I marvel that
any man would allow it, if he knew what it is. But how-
soever they bear the people in hand, that which they write
in their books hath neither truth nor comfort

For by their doctrine ^, of one body of Christ is made two The papisu
bodies ; one natural, having distance of members, with form chid two
and proportion of man^s perfect body, and this body is in ^^
heaven; but the body of Christ in the sacrament, by
thar own doctrine, must needs be a monstrous body, having
nather distance of members, nor form, fashion, or propor-
tion of a man^s natural body. And such a body is in the
sacrament, teach they, and goeth into the mouth with the
form of bread, and entereth no farther than the form of
bread goeth, nor tarrieth no longer than the form of bread
is by natural heat in digesting. So that when the form of
bread is digested, that body of Christ is gone. And foras-
much as evil men be as long in digesting as good men,
the body of Christ, by thar doctrine, entereth as far, and
tarrieth as long in wicked men as in godly men. And what
* [See Disputation at Oxford, with Harptfield^ (vol. iv. p. 79.)]

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882 LETTERS. [1555.

comfort can be herein to any Christian man, to receive
Chrisfs unshapen body, and it to enter no farther than the
stomach, and to depart by and by as soon as the bread b
consumed ?
llie sound It seemeth to me a more sound and comfortable doctrine,
trinc^Uic ^^^^ Christ hath but one body, and that hath form and
Mcrameot fashion of a man''s true body ; which body spiritually entereth
into the whole man, body and soul : and though the sacra-
ment be consumed, yet whole Christ remaineth, and feedeth
the receiver unto eternal life, (if he continue in godliness,)
and never departeth until the receiver forsake him. And as
for the wicked, they have not Christ within them at all,
who cannot be where Belial is. And this is my faith, and
(as me seemeth) a sound doctrine, according to God'^s word,
and sufficient for a Christian to believe in that matter. And
if it can be showed unto me that the Pope^s authority is
not prejudicial to the things before mentioned, or that my
doctrine in the sacrament is erroneous, which I think cannot
be showed, then I never was nor will be so perverse to
stand wilfully in mine own opinion, but I shall with all
humility submit myself unto the Pope, not only to kiss his
feet, but another part also.
The Bishop Another cause why I refused to take the Bishop of
ter twiciT*^ Gloucester for my judge, was the respect of his own per-
peijurcd. son being more than once perjured. First, for that he
being divers times sworn never to consent that the Bisliop
of Rome should have any jurisdiction within this realm,
but to take the King and his successors for supreme heads
of this realm, as by Grod'^s laws they be : contrary to that
lawful oath, the said Bishop sat then in judgment by au-
thority from Rome : wherein he was perjured and not wor-
thy to sit as a judge.

The second perjury was, that he took his bishopric both

of the Queen'*s Majesty and of the Pope, making to each of

them a solemn oath : which oaths be so contrary, that the

The BUkop one must needs be perjured. And furthermore in swearing

teratraUor^® the Pope to maintain his laws, decrees, constitutions,

and an ene- ordinances, reservations, and provisions, he declareth him-

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1656.] LETTERS. 888

self an enemy to the imperial crown^ and to the laws and my to the
state of this realm : whereby he declared himself not worthy ^^'^ "**
to sit as a judge within this realm. And for these con-
siderations I refused to take him for my judge. [Sept. 1666.]

CCC. To QuEKN Mary.

*....! learned by Doctor Martin, that at the day of Certain
your Majesty ''s coronation you took an oath of obedience ^y^^ ^gj^^^
to the Pope of Rome, and the same time you took another ^c-
oath to this realm, to maintain the laws, liberties, and j^^^^g If
customs of the same. And if your Majesty did make an M<? Mar-
oath to the Pope, I think it was according to the other ^^^ '^^^^'
oaths which he useth to minister to princes ; which is to be \c, vol. Ui.
obedient to him, to defend his person, to maintain his au- J|^* ^ '
thority, honour, laws, lands, and privileges. And if it be so, tion in the
(which I know not but by report) then I beseech your 2"?^°*'
Majesty to look upon your oath made to the Crown and sworn both
realm, and to expend and weigh the two oaths together, to J^^j^^ ^^^
see how they do agree, and then to do as your Grace^s con- to Uie Pope
science shall give you: for I am surely persuaded thatf/r^^j*^*
willingly your Majesty will not offend, nor do against your
conscience for no thing. But I fear me that there be con-
tradictions in your oaths, and that those which should have in-
formed your Grace throughly, did not their duties therein.
And if your Majesty ponder the two oaths diligently, I
think you shall perceive you were deceived ; and then your
Highness may use the matter as God shall put in your
heart.

Furthermore, I am kept here from company of learned
men, from books, from counsel, from pen and ink, saving
at this time to write unto your Majesty, which all were
necessary for a man being in my case. Wherefore I be-

* [This is manifestly, as Foxe calls it, only " a piece of another letter
<< to the Queen ;" but no more is contained in any of the authorities
referred to. See Letter ccxcviii. note (k).]

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884 LETTERS. [iBSB.

seech your Majesty, that I may have such of these as may
stand with your Majesty^s pleasure. And as for mine ap-
pearance at Rome 7, if your Majesty will give me leave, I
will appear there. And I trust that Grod shall put in my
mouth to defend his truth there as weU as here. But I
refer it wholly to your Majesty^s pleasure '. [Sept. 1555.]

Your poor orator,

T. C.

CCCI. To A Lawyer.
Carer- Naturse lex hoc ab omnibus postulat, ut quatenus citra

dale's Let' , ^ . *^ / ^ .

ten of the divmi nummis mjunam nen potest, quisque vitam tueatur

Martifrt^ suam. Quod cum tribus abhinc diebus mihi in mentem

Foxe Jcu ^^ni>s^» simulque memoriae occurrisset appellatio Martini

4pc. ist Lutheri a Leone Decimo ad Concilium Generale, constitui et

p. 1493. ip^ Concilium Generale legitimum et liberum appellare, ne

temere et inconsulto vitam proderem meam. Verum cum ap-

pellationis materia ad legisperitos spectet, cujus ego ignarus

sum, cumque Lutheri appellatio ad manum mihi non nt:

decrevi amico alicui fido et jurisperito, consilium meum hac

" thi

[See Letter ccxcix. p. 369.]

[<* These and other of Cranmer's smart and learned letters no
riuestion made impression upon the Queen, or at least upon those
that read them ; for they were delivered by the Queen to no less a
' person than the holy father Cardinal Pole himself; who was ad-
*^ vised to frame an answer to them.'' Strype, Cranmer, p. 381 ; in tlie
Appendix to which work, No. 89, the answer, dated St. James's, 6 Nov.
1555, will be found at length. *' By comparing of this letter of Pole's
" with that of Cranmer's, any one may see a mighty difference ;
** strength, evidence, and conviction in the Archbishop's, wh<} had
^< truth on his side; but a flashiness and debility in the Cordmal's,
" made up of poor shifts, and weak arcings, and impertinent allega-
** tions of Scripture, and personal reflections, to help out a weak cause."
Strype, ibid. For instance, the Cardinal admitted Cranmer's doctrine
on the £ucharist to be the more probable ; * but,' he answered, ' the
< more probable it is, the more false it is, the great sophister and
' father of lies ever deceiving us by probability of reason.' ** The
<< consequence whereof," Strype remarks, '* one would think should be,
** the more improbable any opinion in religion was, the more true.''
It seems that role at the same time sent him another letter. In which
he treated the question of the Eucharist more largely. See Strype,
ibid, and App. p. S16.]

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1666.] LETTERS. 386

in re pandere, cujus opera in hoc negotio uterer: ac tu
quidem unus occurristi, qui mihi in hac Academia yisus es
ad hoc munus idoneus. Sed summam hsec res tacitumita-
tem postulate ut antequam res fiat, nemo resciscat. Dies
mihi dictusest ut respondeam Romse decimo sexto* hujus
mensis, ante quern mihi provocandum esse puto, ac post
sententiam appellandum. Sed an primum mihi provocan-
dum et appellandum sit a judice delegato ad ipsum Pontifi.
cem, ac deinde ad Concilium Grenerale ^, an omisso Fontifice
ad Concilium primum appellandum sit, consilio mihi opus
est tuo.

Porro appellationis causae mihi multse sunt.

Primo quod juramento astrictus sim, nunquam me con-
sensurum in auctoritatem Romani Pontificis.

Deinde cum ego respondere omnino renuerem ad articu-
los mihi objectos ab Episcopo Gloucestrensi judice delegato,
responderam tamen Doctori M artino et Storeo cum hac pro-
testatione, quod responsio mea non daretur judici neque in
judicio, sed extrajudicialis esset, et post responsum datum
petebam responsionis mese copiam, ut eandem mihi emendare
liceret, vel addendo, vel mutando, vel subtrahendo : quan-
quam hsec mihi promissa sunt, et a Gloucestrensi et a procu-
ratoribus Regis et Reginae, omnino tamen fefellerunt fidem,
non dantes emendandae responsionis meae copiam, et nihilo-
minus (ut audio) inter acta judicialia adscripserunt <^.

Postremo, cum causa defectionis a Romano Pontifice et
papistica religione in jus vocor, ut jam mihi lis sit ad versus

* [ Perhaps vicesimo sexto should be read here ; for the citation was
delivered on the 7 th of September, the 80th day from which is the 26th
of November. Strype understands it of the 16th of February, 1556,
but Cranmer could not have been summoned to appear at Rome on that
day, for the Pope's letters, announcing the definitive sentence of ex-
communication and deprivation, and granting authority to degrade,
and deliver liim over to the secular power, were dated on the 14th
of the preceding December. Foxe, Actt, Sfc, 1st edit. p. 1491.J

i> [Lutlier appealed first, from the Pope's legate Carainal Caietau, to
the rope himself, or, as it is expressed in the appeal, " a Pontifice
'* minus edocto ad Pontificem rectius edocendum ;^ and secondly, from
the Pope to a General Council. Sleidan, De Statu Relist, lib. ij

^ [See Letters ccxcviii, ccxcix; and ExandnatUm before Jaroketf
(vol. iv. p. 106.)]

VOL. I. C c

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886 LETTERS. [1556.

pontificem Romanuib, et nemo aequus judex sit in causa pro-
pria, sequum mihi videtur ut Concilium appellem, prsesertim
cum jus naturae (ut aiunt) appellationis remedium nemini
negandum censeat.

Jam cum ad hanc rem maxima tacitumitate opus sit^ si

forsan ob rerum imperitiam aliorum consiliis tibi opus sit,

obtestor tum te per Christianam fidem ac charitatem, ut

cujus causa sit, nemini significes. Et cum jam instet tempu$,

et mature opus sit facto, hoc me sinas a te impetrare, ut

sepositis aliis studiis atque negotiis, huic uni incumbas

quousque perfeceris. Potissima sane appellationis mese causa

est, ut (si ita Deus voluerit) donetur eousque vivendi tem-

This Con- pus, quousque coeptum contra Marcum Antonium Con-

wasSte- stantium responsum absolvero. Quod si ventatis hostes

pheD^Gar- ^,ggg appellationi deferre nolint, (quod existimo,) fiat volun-

coQsUnt tas Dei, susque deque fero, modo glorificetur Deus, sive

weather* * P^** vitam, sive per mortem. Melius est enim multo mori

cock : who pro Christo et cum illo regnare, quam in hoc camis ergas-

himself, tulo concludi, nisi in fratrum utilitatem ad majorem Dei

^^?°^ gloriam propagandam liceat aliquamdiu militare ; cui sit om-

tbis good nis gloria in sevum. Amen.

^^xe!]^ Est et alia appellationis causa quod cum Romam vocatus
sim illic dicturus causam, interim carcere detineor, ut com-
parere mihi ad dictum diem non liceat. Cum autem de
statu et vita mea agitur, et pro defensione mea jurisperito-
rum consilio mihi opus esset, quum id peterem, negatum
est omiie advocatorum, procuratorum, et jurisconsultorum
consilium et auxilium. Vale. [Nov. 1555 <*.]

^ [See note (a). The design mentioned in this Letter was carried
into execution ; a formal appeal hanng been drawn up from the Pope
to a free General Council, and presented b^ Cranmer to Thirlbv,
Bishop of Ely, immediately before his degradation on the 14th of Feb.
1556. It will be found vol. iv. p. 121.J

END OF VOL. I.

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